In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Comin' for to carry me home
A band of angels comin' after me
[Refrain]
If you get to heaven before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home
[Refrain]
Bill Monroe's song 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' begins with the repetition of the phrase 'Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home'. The words are a reference to the Biblical story of Elijah being taken up to heaven on a chariot of fire. The use of the word 'swing' refers to the momentum of the chariot, which is believed by those who sing the song to represent the power of God who will soon come to take them away from their present troubles. As the song continues, the singer shares his vision of the band of angels who come to take him away.
In the second verse, the singer talks about looking over Jordan and seeing the band of angels coming for him. The reference to Jordan is believed to represent the metaphorical River Jordan that the Israelites crossed when they fled from Egypt. The use of the phrase 'comin' for to carry me home' refers to the singer's longing for salvation and the ultimate fulfillment of his Christian faith when he is taken to heaven. The use of the word home represents the final destination of the singer's soul.
In the final verse, the singer expresses his wish for his friends to know that he is also going to join them in the afterlife. The main theme of the song is the singer's desire to be taken away from this world to heaven. The fact that the song originated in the African-American community and is still sung today by people of different backgrounds is a testament to its universal message of hope and deliverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot
Oh sweet chariot, lower and sway gently to take me to my eternal home
Comin' for to carry me home
To take me to a place where I can rest in peace
I looked over Jordan and what did I see
When I looked beyond Jordan, I saw a group of messengers approaching me
Comin' for to carry me home
Coming to take me to my final rest
A band of angels comin' after me
A group of supernatural beings sent to lead me home
[Refrain]
Chorus
If you get to heaven before I do
In case you arrive to heaven before me
Comin' for to carry me home
Let everyone know I will be joining you soon
Tell all my friends that I'm comin' too
Announce to my loved ones that I am on my way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
skeetabix36
That was awesome. Thank you so much for sharing these rare performances of the legend that is Bill Monroe. I've never before seen this clip either.
Doug Benson
Clips like this represent the unique and priceless role of YT at its historical culture-preserving best! This performance must be the most elusive of the Monroe numbers from the 1955 Opry Stars video series: I for one had not had the pleasure of viewing this until now!
starboydc
Another great Gannaway color film clip from like around 1954. Bobby Hicks playing a Paramount! Was Red Taylor in Faron's Deputies at the time? He's definitely dressed western like Faron's band. He certainly worked for Bill as a Bluegrass Boy also. A few good seconds of a shot of Ernie Newton working his snare brush on the "drum head" on his bass. All these Gannaway clips are great.
Merielle Flood
This footage is the best I have seen showing how bassist, Ernie Newton, played the downbeat with his thumb and the backbeat with the brush. Thanks for posting this!
J TA
Thanks for the upload! How that man threw his voice up so high i'll never know.
txmacartist
Falsetto.
Bluegrass Special
This is where it started folks!
LBERO TracyeC
Reminds me of being a child visiting my grandparents in Edenton NC.
Life with a view
The banjo picker Bobby Hicks used to come over to my girlfriend s grandpa s house way back and play music on front porch with locals in McLeansville, NC on Sundays after church. He can play anything with strings on it. A long time back his nickname was Peewee Hicks. Back when he was a youngster he'd win at all the fiddler's conventions. He could barely reach the mike. Back in the early 50's. He can saw the fiddle best of all. I think it's all he ever done as a job was music.
Matteo Ringressi
Never seen this! Thanks a million Robert!