William J. Gaither (born March 28, 1936) is an American singer and songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴William J. Gaither (born March 28, 1936) is an American singer and songwriter of southern gospel and Contemporary Christian music. He has written numerous popular Christian songs with his wife, Gloria. Besides performing solo and with his wife, Gaither has appeared as part of the Bill Gaither Trio, the Gaither Vocal Band, and as a part of his "Homecoming" groups.

Gloria Gaither (b. March 4, 1942) is a songwriter for gospel music, along with her husband, Bill Gaither. She also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.

In the Sweet Forever
Bill & Gloria Gaither Lyrics

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I ain't gonna work on the railroad
I ain't gonna work on the farm
Lay down the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back

And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms

Now where were was you last Friday night?
While I was lying in jail
Walking the streets with another man
Wouldn't even go for my bail

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms

I know your parents don't like me
They drove me away from your door
Had my life to live over
I'd never go there any more

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms

Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms

Overall Meaning

The song "In the Sweet Forever" by Bill & Gloria Gaither is a cover of a traditional bluegrass tune called "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms." This song is about a man who has decided to leave behind his old life and the work that came with it. He declares that he won't work on the railroad or the farm anymore, and instead will wait for the mail train to return so he can reunite with his lover. He longs to "roll in his sweet baby's arms" and escape from the pressures of his former life.

The second verse of the song takes a darker turn as the man confronts his lover about her infidelity. He accuses her of walking the streets with another man while he was in jail, and declares that he won't bail her out. Despite this betrayal, the man still longs to be with his lover and roll in her arms. In the final verse, the man acknowledges that his lover's family doesn't approve of him and has driven him away from their door. He regrets ever going there and wishes he could start over.

Overall, "In the Sweet Forever" is a poignant song about leaving behind one's old life for a new love, even in the face of betrayal and disapproval from others.

Line by Line Meaning

I ain't gonna work on the railroad
I refuse to work hard labor jobs like working on the railroad.

I ain't gonna work on the farm
I won't do the tiring work that farmers do to cultivate the land.

Lay down the shack 'til the mail train comes back
I'll take it easy and relax until I hear the sound of the mail train in the distance.

And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
I'll be with my loved one and cherish our time together.

Now where were was you last Friday night?
I need to know where you were the other night when I was in jail.

While I was lying in jail
I was locked up and couldn't do anything, but wonder where you were.

Walking the streets with another man
Seeing you out with someone else was painful and hard to bear.

Wouldn't even go for my bail
You didn't care enough about me to help me get out of jail.

I know your parents don't like me
Your parents have made it clear that they don't approve of our relationship.

They drove me away from your door
Because of their dislike for me, they convinced you to end things with me.

Had my life to live over
If I could go back in time and start over, I wouldn't make the same mistakes.

I'd never go there any more
I wouldn't waste my time trying to be with someone who is controlled by their disapproving parents.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Lester Flatt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@johannagloryglorialeluyasu5672

8y↑27

What a happy time some glad tomorrow
When we lay these heavy burdens down
In this lonsome valley . . . no more to roam
Having laboured on thru joy and sorrow
Hoping to receive that golden crown
It will all be glory . . . in that happy home.

(chorus)
In that beautiful city . . . of the sweet forever
Where the river of life . . . goes ebbing by
We'll look upon the beauty . . . that fades no never
And happy we'll be . . . while the ages fly.

(2)
Never more the soul will be repining
When we reach that happy resting place
In this lonsome valley . . . no more to roam
Yonder where the sun is always s***ning
We shall look upon his smiling face
It will all be glory . . . in that happy home.

(3)
Many precious loved ones will be waiting
Just across the river deep and wide
In this lonsome valley . . . no more to roam
Thru eternity no separating
Every heart will then be satisfied
It will all be glory . . . in that happy home.