Posted in Mississippi Nature July 03, 2019 by

This Singing River In Mississippi Needs To Be Experienced To Be Believed

Of all the waterways in Mississippi, none are quite as intriguing as the Pascagoula River – and that’s because it sings. That’s right; for hundreds of years, visitors to the river have described a mysterious humming sound coming from its waters. There are several theories regarding the music-like sound, but the strange phenomenon has yet to be explained. Keep reading to learn more about the river and the legend behind it.

As the largest undammed river in the contiguous U.S., the Pascagoula River is a popular spot for water-related activities. But that’s not the river’s only claim to fame.
Pascagoula River Audubon Center/Facebook
The Pascagoula River has been dubbed the "Singing River" because of the strange, yet remarkable, sound that comes from its waters.
Jeff Wilkinson/Only In Mississippi Facebook
So, what's the river sound like? It's been described as "flute like." It’s also been compared to the sound produced by rubbing the rim of a crystal glass.
Pascagoula River/Facebook
The origin of the sound is unknown; however, what is known is that the river has been "singing" for a very long time. French settlers heard the river as early as 1699.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
Intriguing people for nearly as long, there are articles and writings about the noisy river dating back to the 1800s.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Wikimedia
One such article appeared in the July 24, 1892 edition of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, which included the author’s firsthand description of hearing the river sing.
There are several legends and myths, which attempt to explain the origin of the musical sounds of the river. One of the oldest tales involves a mermaid, who lured her followers into the river to their deaths.
Trounce/Wikimedia
When French settlers came to the area, they asked local Native Americans about the strange sound coming from the river. The Native Americans said a local tribe once worshipped a mermaid, who lived in the river. Around 1540, a "white man" came to the area, trying to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, which greatly angered the mermaid. The mermaid reacted with fury. She rose from the bottom of the river, singing, "Come to me, come to me, children of the sea. Neither bell, book, nor cross shall win ye from your queen." At the sound of the mermaid’s voice, every man, woman, and child from the tribe walked in to the river, disappearing forever.

According to a 19th century historian, area tribes have always thought the sound of the river was "their musical brethren, who still keep up their revels at the bottom of the river, in the palace of the mermaid."
Though the story of the mermaid is the oldest legend associated with the river’s musical waters, it’s not the only one. A second legend involves the Pascagoula and Biloxi tribes.
Boston Public Library/Wikimedia
The two tribes co-existed peacefully until the chief of the Pascagoula tribe fell in love with a princess from the Biloxi tribe. Angered by the Pascagoula chief’s affection for the Biloxi princess, the Biloxi tribe declared war on the Pascagoula Indians. Completely outnumbered, the Pascagoula Indians chose to die at their own hands rather than be killed or captured as slaves. And so, the Pascagoula tribe joined hands and sang a song as they marched into the river to drown themselves. According to legend, the noise made by the river today is actually the phantom tribe singing from beneath the water’s surface.
Over the years, many have visited the Pascagoula River, hoping to hear it sing.
Pascagoula River/Facebook
But, it’s important to remember that the river isn't always audible.
Pascagoula River/Facebook
Ernest Herndon, an expert on the Pascagoula River, spent hundreds of hours on the river before it sang to him!
Want to see (and hear) the river in person?
Pascagoula River Audubon Center/Facebook
The Singing River is accessible from various places; however, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center is one of the most convenient ways to access the river.

So, did you know about this river – and the legend behind it? Tell us in the comments section.

Pascagoula River Audubon Center Address:7001 Frank Griffin Road, Moss Point, MS, 39563

This isn’t the only site in the state with an eerie past. Read about others here.