Swing Low Sweet Chariot
All The Best From The Caribbean Vol. 2 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
Comin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me

Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot

Comin' for to carry me home

I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too

Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot

Comin' for to carry me home
And now they're comin' for to carry me home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” are full of religious imagery and allusions to the afterlife. The song speaks of a journey beyond this world, symbolized by the rivers and valleys that the singer must cross to reach their destination. The “band of angels” mentioned in the first verse refers to the angels of heaven that will carry the singer home to their eternal resting place.

The chorus of the song, “Swing low, sweet chariot / Comin' for to carry me home,” speaks of the chariot that will transport the singer to the other side. The term “swing low” refers to the movements of the chariot as it descends from the heavens to the earth. The sweetness of the chariot is a metaphor for the comfort and joy that will await the singer in the afterlife.

The song speaks to the desire for a better life beyond the mortal world, and the faith that there is a higher power that will guide us there. It is a hopeful and comforting message for those who are struggling in this life and longing for a better existence.

Line by Line Meaning

I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
As I surveyed Jordan, what did I perceive?

Comin' for to carry me home
Angelic beings approaching me with the intent of transporting me to my eternal resting place

There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me
A troupe of angelic hosts advancing towards me

Swing low, sweet chariot
A vehicle of paradise approaching gently to transport me to my eternal home

I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
My life experience has its ups and downs

But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
However, I am reassured that my spirit is reserved in the ground past the skies

If you get there before I do
If you reach heaven before me

Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Please inform my associates that I'll also follow soon after

And now they're comin' for to carry me home
At this moment, those beings are arriving to transport me to the beyond

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCESCO MOCCHI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@crazyalbinoape3257

7y↑4

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
I looked over Jordan, what do I see,
Coming for to carry me home.
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.
I looked over Jordan, what do I see,
Coming for to carry me home.
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

All comments from YouTube:

@lharte3112

4y↑45

Such a beautiful crystal clear voice
I just love this song so much
My grandma sang it to me before she died. Rest In Peace, Momo

@Midnight_Lantern

19w↑2

My mother used to sing this to me as a young girl, as a lullaby. It resonates so deeply now.....for even further reasons I cannot express here.

@sasankbavuluru3096

2y↑42

When I was 9 years old, I sat my first electric keyboard exam and this was the first piece. No piece of music that my ears have come across carried such emotion and deep meaning. Nearly a decade later, this song plays on loop in my head and has never once been forgotten. Truly amazing.

@kylenestor2103

43w↑2

This song has been playing in my head since i was 8 years old. It certainly leaves an impact

@jcmeek3

9y↑36

My Dad loved "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" which he felt was a kind message from a loving Heavenly Father who would someday take him home to heaven accompanied by a band of angels. I love the pure tones of the singer! I wish I knew who she is! Thank you, whoever you are. You are giving a great gift to the world I think. - Doc Meek, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, Tues, Apr 7, 2015

@ChristmasDarkening

The singer is a slave singing to pass time in their suffering

@erkanbaysal1376

2y↑1

Woow 5 years😳

@iLieOfficial

7 years.

@diebutrespectfully5826

52w

Do you know the real meaning of this??

@TheSweetSoundSingers

10y↑440

What a crystal clear voice.

@stephaniegreul2424

3y↑7

yea me too

@ronny5211

3y↑5

Super Sopranstimme.

@jordanrobinson1301

3y↑8

Sounds so peaceful

@sudathsamarawikrama6670

3y↑3

I love you

@NoahRogers2010

2y↑6

I NO RIGHT!!

@twilliams4302

7y↑48

This song has meaning. I had never heard it before until recently. I'm happy to know that the Chariot Angel swings low to carry me home.

@bigfatrat9919

3y↑12

You see - that’s wrong. Chariot is referred to the Underground Railroad. Angels is supposed to be Quakers and Abolitionists coming from the “Chariot” to take them north.

@Judeanexile

2y↑7

@Bigfat Rat Chariot refers to the Chariot that took Elijah by the Jordan river. They are singing about Jerusalem (Israel). This song was written after 1865...slavery was over..

@nafstap

@C.Caifano You're wrong. Maybe this will help you better understand
https://youtu.be/PMbiEdGjLUo

@Thehawkdown99

2y↑4

@C.Caifano These type of songs were passed down from slavery. It was sung long before it was written down

@Judeanexile

@Hawk Downe what’s your source?

3 More Replies...

@4tell

6y↑8

They sang this at my grandfather’s funeral, who died in October.. It’s such a beautiful song.

@aliciamaiden4029

9y↑823

This song played at my grandads funeral and he was like my second dad... Even saying his name makes me upset... RIP grandad love you lots...

@aliciamaiden4029

9y↑14

I know it wa so tiring aswell because of all the crying

@charlieramirez7040

7y↑6

Alicia Maiden

@plasmasnow9295

7y↑44

My grandma only has a few days left cause cancer. I am 15 and she's been teaching me to sing since I was 8. She's the reason I even like singing. We asked her if there's anything she wants us to do, and she wants me and my cousins who sing, though they don't sing infront of people, to sing this at the front of her funeral. She knows she's dying and sang this to us. She sings this to all her grandkids and now we are going to sing it for her as she passes to heaven. I don't really like the concept because I'm a little shy and don't like crying and I know it will make me cry, but my feeling about people seeing me shed a tear aren't even recognized by me if my nana wants me to do what she taught me to love. I would've never started singing if it wasn't for her, and I have many mental disabilitys and aspergers syndrome as well and music has helped me more than anything else. I kind of understand where your coming from, and they do play a large role in our life. Thank you Nana and God bless your grandpa <3

@aliciadowney8066

7y↑8

My name is Alicia

@benbatchelder8941

6y↑6

Alicia Maiden. They played this at my friends funeral. I know how you feel. Lots of <3

35 More Replies...

@lindamarieortegons5032

4y↑21

Dears Jesus Christ thank you for waking me up this thank you for breakfast this morning to God bless you and all your blessings I know you're counting my blessings in all my ways and thanks for the sweet sweet sweet sweet that's playing now and thank you for my meditation hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah 🙏😇 🙌

@CourtneyDean-tc1dq

32w↑2

Swing low Sweet Chariot I love ❤️ this song ! That’s is perfect!

@mrshootyowl87

7y↑34

I sing this every day whenever it crosses my mind. So glad I found this to sing along to.

@stephaniegreul2424

@ronny5211

2y↑1

Ich habe es auch schon gesungen mit mehrstimmiger Begleitung.

@munichshowgirl6092

9y↑3

This is such a great song:)
And i love the voice of the singer

@taylordawnpayne6783

9y↑2

I have to play this every night before my daughter will go to sleep . I don't know what I'd do without it .

@sheillasebbeda440

3y↑4

So soothing 🤗 I want to teach my kids this song one day🥳

@user-oy8no9dl4v

3y↑33

I am Japanese.
When I was Junior High School students,I and classmates sang this song.
I'm loved it!

@knightofbabel9236

1y↑2

@Tomboy Respecter no you are gay

@bronball7881

45w

Im filipino, and were gonna sing this too

@user-xh3zj5sg5g

44w

Middle School 🏫 here as well, 6th grade🎶❤️ 🙌

@AnnikaRosesmith

6y↑4

This song is beautiful. A great song to practice harmonies to.

@divijoshi

2y↑6

It's been 10 years since I left my middle school, but I still remember the sir that taught us this song, lovely memories

@snowsilberman905

10y↑5

I'm doing a project on spiritual songs and I picked this one and this is legit the best version I have found!

@stevenkramer6217

20w

This song is too short! I lobe it, but have to keep playing it on repeat. She does have a very hypnotic voice.

@christyneoliver6613

3y↑4

I learned this song in Kindergarten (1978) and as if late, the song has been stuck in my head. I finally understand the meaning of it.

@Ashley-oc4uy

2y↑6

Since I was a kid this has always been my go to tune. I sing it in my head my whole life all the time and I don't even know all of the words, I was goofily making some words up this am and decided I needed to finally know all the words after singing it wrong for 34 years. I hope they play it qt my funeral. That song us attached to my soul I feel.
If I'm sad it comes to mind while I self soothe , and when I'm super happy it comes whailing out of me. And when I'm feeling goofy like this am this song along with a bunch of extra made up lyrics comes out of me !! Something about this song I deeply attached to me.
If someone ever asked " what song does your soul sing" this would be it.

@taylurrishi848

9y↑38

Absolutely a most beautiful heart touching song. Thank you

@makayladuke7182

8y↑11

this song makes me feel calm and relaxed because I'm under a lot of stress every time I'm stressed/all the time I listen to this song nothing else it also washes away my sadness or blues away and I'm fell so much better when I do so I Thank you listen and read along you changed my life it was hell until u and that song saved me so again thank you very very much

@LUMINOUSLIVECHANNEL

https://youtu.be/yCQqbx5cz2I

@emmanuelmuganza3426

3y↑5

At 5 in the morning my dad and my late mommy used to sing this in French before their prayer, my heart is still bleeding mommy, may your soul continue to Rest In Peace my buddy, I’ll very soon see you at the mountain of Zion !

@user-sq7ug8yz7o

18w

I remember my mom singing this before I went to sleep. Nobody can sing it like her lol.

@lolsa646

38w

My great grandpa’s favorite song. He died of several different fatal complications, and pushed through until the last one. He sang this song until it wasn’t physically possible for him to.

@isabelpound9595

2y↑8

This song is a favourite at the morning assemblies of my childhood camp. Every time I hear it I remember those sweet memories. Miss you Tanamakoon ❤️

@nafstap

2y↑2

Funny considering this isn't a religious song, but instead a coded slave song talking about Harriet Tubman helping slaves through the underground railroad.

@lavinaliburd1566

@@nafstap I’d say it’s both. We used to sing this in church when I was little. I miss these spirituals now that they’re “out of vogue” or their appropriateness for church is being questioned.

@bongbaoboi5478

4y↑2

So relaxing ❤ Thank you the lyrics ❤

@Unknownuser-ki8te

6y↑3

Beautiful voice 🙌🏽

@PatrickFromAlsace

5y↑4

Beautiful voice for a beautiful song !

@schildi2337

2y↑2

What a wonderful voice 🌺

@maaifoediedelarey4335

4y↑2

This was sung beautifully. Does anyone know the guitar chords for this ?

@beckybachcucvu

7y↑2

Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice. We appreciate the lyrics posted that helps us learn English and able to sing long.

@the.resa.o9

36w

Wow i Love this song is so… amazing ❤🥰😍

@johnsamson4335

34w

Sweetest voice I ever heard singing this beautiful song.

@beckybecca4237

4y↑7

My late dad sang for me and my siblings every evening. Just makes me cry. I sang it to my nephews , nieces and boo. Reminds a lot about dad. Continue to rip

@barnowl3835

27w

And here I am, an Italian, at almost midnight, enjoying too much learning to sing a song I've just heard after randomly coming across it by looking at rugby stuff online after the New Zealand-Argentina match

@5-minute-witness356

8y↑2

what a lovely voice! thank you for this hymn.

@DeanWinchestersImpala67

5y↑1

I love her voice it’s so graceful 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

@spoiledchick2012

8y↑3

my childhood is complete, learned this in music class as a little girl

@dardhadard837

Such folky, spiritual songs make me levitate in a way/level me up/take me to a place I love, I can feel it as I listen

@birdv

4y↑3

Great rendition of this classic melody!

@user-yv5ck8ru5x

35w

This song reminds me of my Dad & his best friend. I heard them singing this song when I was 9 years old Rip to both 🤍

@asialanae1254

4y↑7

I love this song because my grandma sang it to me as a baby and I know it word from word

@alkhaidi338

10y↑24

your voice is out of this word!!
awesome!!

@bonniefarrell_02

31w

I remember when I was a child, my dad would swing me in his arms and sing the chorus before he would gently throw me on the bed. It was entertaining for young me lmao

@KKS2610

7y↑2

Such fond memories of this song , those were the days when dad use to sing this ....

@arjunsriranjan4169

9y↑55

Checked this for my daughter.
The great classic was very nice in this clear voice...
Thank you

@ListenAndReadAlong

Arjun Sri Ranjan Glad you enjoyed it

@cathalobrien8448

+Skull Bro agreed

@michelapiazza1503

e molto carina

@taytrash5938

Ok I Listened to g his cause I liked it after hearing hearing at cival War day at my school and this song a this guys favorite that he wrote during the cival war. if anything this song should be respected.

@pipienapililolosikulu4324

Skull Bro

3 More Replies...

@mchumbenyanthan6879

2y↑1

It's a song I'll cherish my whole life, but slower melodious version of the song will always live for eternity... Please give us a slow version too

@hanzie00

4y↑2

I love it so much❤❤

@idiot_friend

2y↑1

I love it

@Nova-jp9cl

5y↑1

I love listening to this before I go to bed😊

@griseldadiaz2440

5y↑1

Me to

@villachavezalmaruth3932

3y↑2

Good song I LOVE IT!

@crazyalbinoape3257

7y↑4

@olayinkasanni8191

Beautiful and Amazing rendition. 💓💐💖 Thanks.

@buckyballtricks7996

4y↑1

I get chills every single time I hear this beautiful song.

@carlacharles8443

6y↑1

Music is sweet to all that can listen. It soothes

@dx19treck23

4y↑1

This song reminds me of childhood days. Those good old days 😊😊😊❤️❤️❤️

@ferny1267

1y↑1

I’m so glad we learned this song at my school, back than I thought it was such a dumb idea that they’d teach us songs back than, but now I’m glad they taught us

@leeroywolphagen4038

7y↑273

Such a beautiful song that the slaves used to sang when they were in bondage and longed for their freedom..! A very sad story but I Truly loved this the SONG

@angelajohnson7796

4y↑35

This song was written by a black man who was a freed slave. It was written to commemorate the underground railway AFTER the civil war and adopted by black people as a gospel song and is sung today at funerals and churches etc.all over America. One of the great Louis Armstrong performances and believe it or not Martin Luther King who fought for blacks during the civil riots of the 60’s. No offence but I suggest you learn your history. I too love the song.

@juliushinkle4706

3y↑7

@Angela Johnson Yeah my English teacher was telling us today that this song was used as a code to warn other slaves that help would be coming. She said that these songs were called spirituals to trick the slave masters into thinking that they were ‘’buying into Christianity’’. I’m not sure if that’s even true but it sounded like she was trying to bash Christianity which pissed me off

@coldhearted4284

3y↑3

@Angela Johnson no learn yo history, back when the slaves were on the field cottons, they would see flying objects hovering above them, what you call UFO'S are the chariots they were talking about..we the people of the Bible and gods getting revenge on this very moment then before he destroy this place he's picking his select children up from those chariots

@aricawaters9668

Me to

@aceheru7855

3y↑6

@Angela Johnson did she not say slaves used to sing this song and then you redundantly go on to say the song was written by a freed slave? How about you pump the brakes and stop trying to teach black people black history when you don't even know your own.

5 More Replies...

@soson4496

3y↑1

How peacful and calm💌💌💌🌸🏵️🌼🌾🌅
My dad once said "it reminds me of my childhood "
Bt now going back to my memories and listening to this reminds me of "my childhood "
My beloved ...🥺
I miss u papa❤️
My hero🦸 cheers to everyone who lived their everyday live like us🙂🙂 we beleive in us ❤️

@tesscarter9472

4y↑2

Beautiful, really beautiful. Thank you for this!!!

@ListenAndReadAlong

Thanks for listening

@meetabose6340

Beautiful Melodious Voice & Equally Soul Touching Lyrics👌All in all Tailor Made Song to Fit Snug like Hand in A Glove❤️👍👌

@Replayer101

6y↑10

I honestly thought it was Alison Krauss singing this, amazing voice!

@DarylReeceJames

4y↑14

I WILL NEVER STOP SINGING IT!

@salutaldegrandfan6171

4y↑1

Wow you're so strong and smart

@DarylReeceJames

4y↑4

@Hajime NO IPPO thank you :)

@DarylReeceJames

@Chala 1 takes one to know one.

@DarylReeceJames

@Chala 1 not really however I love this song and will never stop singing it. I dont know what I've said so wrong..... but I guess these days people are easily offended.

@DarylReeceJames

@Chala 1 It hasn't been a problem for years and years now all of a sudden people are jumping on the bandwagon. I do NOT condone racism in anyway shape or form. However when it is sung by supporters of the England Rugby team they are not being racist. It's an anthem and it has been for years and years.

1 More Replies...

@christianbrunning5366

5y↑137

My mother and grandmother sang this to me as a lullaby. They sang it slower but, all the same. Thx

@boundedcorset

4y↑13

My mother did, too. Even years after she passed, I still hear her singing it. 💖

@stephaniegreul2424

3y↑1

that is fantastic

@happie999

10y↑1

beautiful song, beautiful voice.

@Bre_Love5405

3y↑1

I will never forget the song I sung at my preschool/ kindergarten graduation

@dianahemze5601

3y↑1

My daughter kept singing this couple weeks before she died

@lamichealporter3986

5y↑1

Our ancestors sung this song it is a message for their people

@supplicationjam

9y↑5

At school my class went on the stage and started singing this 😅😊

@tammiebenes8451

5y↑6

I sang this to my Grandma the night before she died😭

@yemisiojo2176

2y↑1

i love this music 😀🙂

@mat7279

Such a beautiful song!!!

@Arkstromater

2y↑1

This song could make me if I’m in a certain state of mind. Just like amazing grace.

@tammywhitson4164

I'm doing this for my school (Any other EP users?) and am just shocked by this. Just by the titles of these alone paint a picture of what life was like back then. I am glad our world has grown better

@thebadassanimegirl6664

Love this song it used to send me to sleep when I was younger

@lulujay5866

9y↑22

Amazing voice amazing song

@geckotrollface

7y↑2

Sarah King amazing world [of gumball]

@superiorml9116

46w

This song is somehow nostalgic, my elementary teacher used to play this while we're chilling at 12 PM Break

@Myron_The_Wolf

5y↑1

I know this is supposed to be one of those coded underground railroad songs like "wade in the water" or "follow the drinking gourd", but this sounds appropriate for a kingdom hearts song. The lyrics, the music, pretty everything about it would make certain scenes perfect.

@MetroVerse

5y↑1

Those games suck ass dude

@hanqr1949

3y↑1

Very good sound i love it

@kaylitan7114

10y

Practising on this song ! Very nice voice !!!

@poorekaelee

My grandma would sing this song to me as a baby now I sing it to my baby God know how much miss her

@cookiecruz1982

2y↑1

I always like this song I never know it was a funeral song I send it to my daughter like a lullaby

@badassmother1426

Could someone please tell us this vocalist's name? Singing this with 9yo grand daughter right now and we lover her voice!!!

@roxannedelgado8636

5y↑1

Black history month brought me here for my daughter's program love this song

@courtneywiser6992

Such a sweet voice

@clotesjeanbaptiste9775

This song is so beautiful.

@killerdonkey666

5y↑3

This my song me and my mom sing it every night before we go to sleep love this song👌🏽😍😍😍😍😇😇😇😇

@connorwilson6057

My little sister used to fall asleep to this song and still does

@creamcherrios88

5y↑1

My social studies teacher played this for our lesson today and it’s been stuck in my head since

@diebutrespectfully5826

52w

Ik this is four years late but same it’s sad that this is multiple peoples lullabies and stuff and them not knowing the true meaning

@robloxqueen2131

I love this song ❤️🌹😍

@dontmindme5406

8y↑1

My music teacher showed me this song so i know it well😊😊😊😊

@ernietollar407

Gorgeous voice

@connorhulkowitz2038

8y↑9

This was useful for my English biography on Harriet Tubman, thanks. And you know why, right? It was one of the coded songs she sang. but anyways, thanks for the quality of it all!

@surindersarna9255

Divine voice

@getrealwithkerry1163

beautiful song!

@nicoleoda508

Man she has a really nice voice

@lyndeenhurley704

I had to play this song in band and it was amazing

@hamsandwich9775

I'm not much of a religious person but this song is nice.

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