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'Wade in the Water' was coded message to escaping slaves

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Today's Morning Edition music is from Mavis Staples singing the old spiritual "Wade in the Water."

Harriet Tubman used the song to tell escaping slaves to get off the trail and into the water so that dogs couldn't pick up their scent.

We played it this morning in honor of Harriet Tubman, who will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The change won't be made until sometime after 2020.