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.
Swing Low
Bill & Gloria Gaither Lyrics
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Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
and the doctor, he said,
Comin' for to carry me home
You got a big old rock that rolls around in your head
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, went to the hospital under the night
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, the nurse cried out,
We done lost the young boy's life
Comin' for to carry me home
Mama, sing,
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
When I got up to heaven,
I mean the pearly gate
Comin' for to carry me home
Well Saint Peter up above,
He said, Ya gotta learn how to wait
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, I woke up the next mornin' with a sweet little sound
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, I woke up the next mornin'
I was six feet underground
Comin' for to carry me home
And I could hear the precher singin' in his futile tone
Comin' for to carry me home
And I screamed out to the Lord,
Don't let me die here all alone
Comin' for to carry me home
Woah
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, (swing low!) sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Yeah...
Now it's comin' for to carry me home
Yes, it was...
Comin' for to carry me home
Yes...
Comin' for to carry me home
The lyrics to "Swing Low" by Bill & Gloria Gaither take the form of a spiritual that dates back to the 19th century. The titular chariot is a metaphor for the vehicle that will transport the singer to their final resting place, which is presumed to be heaven. The chorus repeats the phrase "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home" twice, emphasizing the desire to be reunited with their maker in the afterlife.
However, there are several verses that tell a different story. In the first verse, the singer has a rock that "rolls around in [their] head," which is a metaphor for a serious problem. Later, they go to the hospital and find out that a young boy has died. In the end, they wake up six feet underground, screaming for the Lord not to let them die alone.
Despite the dark themes that appear in the song's verses, the overall message remains one of hope and faith that a better life awaits after this one. The repetition of the chorus suggests that the singer truly believes the chariot is coming for them, a comforting thought in the face of life's struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, sweet chariot
Asking for a divine vehicle to come and carry the singer to their peaceful or heavenly afterlife
Comin' for to carry me home
The singer anticipates death and looks to the afterlife as their final destination
You got a big old rock that rolls around in your head
The doctor has given an unflattering diagnosis of the singer's mental health and implies that it might lead to their eventual death
We done lost the young boy's life
The artist is surrounded by the tragedy of death, as even young people are unable to escape it
Ya gotta learn how to wait
St. Peter explains that even after death, the artist must learn to be patient before entering heaven
I was six feet underground
The singer has been buried following their death
And I screamed out to the Lord, Don't let me die here all alone
The singer is afraid of dying without any support, and so they call out to a higher power for help
Comin' for to carry me home
This line is repeated throughout the song and serves as a constant reminder of the artist's approaching death and the hope of a peaceful afterlife
Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gregory Lincoln
God bless Polly in her heavenly home and rewarded for blessing so many of us with her music.
Tseminyutownd Tseminyu
Blue flem
George Taylor
It don't get no better then this! !Glory to God..For these great singers!!!!!
Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr
Rest in Peace, Ms. Polly - One of the ALL TIME GREATS of Gospel Music.
Neile Zuyie
Polly is so s
Bonnie Kaye
Praise God for bluegrass singin' & playin'! ❤💕❤
Hollys Buddy
I really wish Sheri would use the full capacity of her wonderful voice more like she does here on this song! She sounds so much like Brenda Lee on some notes.
GP McD
Lord how I miss seeing Polly smile and hearing her sweet voice. Thank goodness for YouTube. Many of her songs and memories will stay with us for a while.
LUMINOUS LIVE CHANNEL
BELIEVE ME ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER HEARD OF SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT
Lisa Chaney
I just love Jeff and Sherri and the Lewis family