For a few months the Andrews Sisters joined Glenn Miller on his new weekly radio broadcasts. This is a compilation with all the Andrews Sisters' songs from these broadcasts, plus some other songs with Glenn Miller featuring Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, and Tex Beneke.
The broadcasts were originally recorded to acetate records, and transferred to analog tape in 1965. Digitally remastered by CEDAR Restauration in 2003 from the 1965 tapes, because the original acetate records had disintegrated. The source was in bad shape, and the sound engineers were able to "squeeze the most realistic sound from the most unrealistic sources. The ticks and pops and other background noise were minimized as much as was prudent".
The introduction and closing announcements on each CD are from the original shows, and include sponsor advertising. Most of the songs feature announcements in the beginning. The idea of this compilation was to capture these historic documents, as well as people's excitement over these broadcasts back then.
This CD set got excellent customer reviews at Amazon. The songs actually sound great, and feature very lively performances. Each CD has the original announcer's introduction, then a compilation of songs with the original announcements, closed by the announcer speaking again at the end.
Closing Announcements
Announcer/Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Commin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, a-commin after me
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
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
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
And now they're commin' for to carry me home
The lyrics to Glenn Miller's song Closing Announcements are actually an adaptation of the African American spiritual called "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The song is about the hope and anticipation of meeting one's maker in heaven. The reference to "Jordan" in the first line is a biblical reference to the Jordan River, which is said to represent the boundary between this life and the afterlife.
The idea of angels coming to carry the singer home signifies the expectation of passing on to the afterlife, a concept that is strong in many religious traditions. The metaphorical use of the "sweet chariot" is also significant as it represents the vehicle that will take the singer to heaven.
The second verse further emphasizes the struggles of life on earth with the reference to being "up" and "down." However, the singer knows that despite the ups and downs, their soul is destined for heaven, which is why they are "heavenly bound."
Overall, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a powerful and moving spiritual that speaks to the hope and faith of those who believe in an afterlife. The Glenn Miller adaptation is just one of the many renditions of the song that have been recorded over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
I glanced across the river Jordan and what did I perceive?
Commin' for to carry me home
Angelic beings are coming to transport me to my heavenly dwelling
There was a band of angels, a-commin after me
A throng of cherubim are arriving to escort me on my journey home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Carrier of salvation, please come nearer
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
I've experienced both emotional highs and lows
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
My spirit is certain to join God in paradise
If you get there before I do
If you arrive ahead of me
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Please inform my companions that I will join them shortly
And now they're commin' for to carry me home
The angels have arrived to transport me to the next life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCESCO MOCCHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Malcolm MacLeod
As an eighty-five year old I can safely say that music like Tuxedo Junction got us through WWl. Kudos!
Michael Yoder
His version of Tuxedo Junction always gets me - I'm a composer and he MASTERS subtlety, which, with mostly brass. is not easy. Thanks as always for these great posts!
Jack Marrow Mapping
Must have more Miller!
Great tunes everyday, Barry!
shorty33 %
I'm 36 and I love some Glenn and Tex. I'm buying a record player to listen to him.
Jack Marrow Mapping
Same over at mine, Ward! Miller time for me is anytime!
Ward Harrah
100% Agree Jack!!!
It's always Miller Time at my House!!!
Carlos Winkelmann
I live in Venezuela and have been fan o Miller since I was born. (1939) Thanks for that program