Wash That Baby in the Water

Chorus:
We’re gonna wash that baby in the water:
dunk, dunk, dunk three times down.
We’re gonna wash that baby in the water,
then pass her* all around. Pass her all around.

Verses: same tune as the chorus (but be flexible)

1. And now it’s once for the Source of the universe,
And once for Jesus Christ,
And then it’s one time more for the Holy Ghost
To stay by her side. (repeat.)

2. And now it’s once for her grandma and her grandpa.
And once for Mom and Dad,
And then it’s one time more for the people here.
Everybody’s glad. (repeat.)

3. We’ll do it once for the times that are easy.
And once for the times that are tough,
And do it one time more for the inbetween.
May there be enough. (repeat.)

4. So may you be both strong and peaceful.
May you be both wise and fair.
Then may you be content with the simple things,
And may you learn to share. (repeat.)

5. We’re gonna welcome you to the family.
We’re gonna welcome you to the world.
We’re gonna welcome you to the love of God
For every boy and girl. (repeat.)

Words and music by Bret Hesla.
© 1991 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net. Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.

This song is fun for a big group to sing. I wrote it for the baptism of my son, Sam, in 1991. Everybody brought a little jar of water from their own home, and on cue, brought it forward and dumped it into a bowl — which was my wife Jaimie’s bread bowl that she inherited from her grandmother. Dunk, sing, pass, cuddle, celebrate. Switch her/him pronouns as you need to. Adapt as needed for the pandemic.