Swing Low
Blake Lyrics


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Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I?m coming, too
Coming for to carry me home

I'm sometimes up and sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Coming for to carry me home

The brightest day that I can say
Coming for to carry me home




When Jesus washed my sins away
Coming for to carry me home

Overall Meaning

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a spiritual song dating back to the mid-19th century. It is believed to have been composed by enslaved Africans and sung during their laborious days. The rendition done by Blake is a classic style that maintained the traditional melody, and it tells of the hope for salvation and freedom from oppression.


The first verse of the song sets the tone for the remainder of the song. The sweet chariot mentioned in the song refers to the vehicle of deliverance that would signify a safe passage of slaves from their suppressive states in the physical world to a more peaceful realm. The singer is anticipating the arrival of the chariot that would come and carry him home, signifying freedom.


The second verse of the song is an expression of the singer observing a band of angels coming to accompany him on the journey towards freedom. This part of the song features the use of figurative language as the angels represent the messengers of freedom that the singer expects to meet. In the chorus, the singer repeats his referral to the chariot, hoping for its arrival to take him to safety.


The final verses of the song are a reaffirmation of the songwriter's faith and hope for salvation. The singer is confident that even when faced with a flurry of circumstances, his soul is still heavenly bound, hoping that when Jesus washes away his sins, it would be the brightest day he's ever witnessed. The last line of the song reinforces the message that the singer anticipates that his struggles would soon be over.


Line by Line Meaning

Swing low, sweet chariot
As I wait for my inevitable death, I pray for my savior to arrive in a grand vehicle.


Coming for to carry me home
His arrival shall end my suffering and transport me to my final resting place.


I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
As I ponder upon my journey, I witness his aides' arrival from afar.


A band of angels coming after me
The holy messengers march towards me to guide me through the path of afterlife.


If you get there before I do
In case you reach to the other side before me.


Tell all my friends I'm coming, too
Please assure everyone that I shall meet them soon.


I'm sometimes up and sometimes down
Life's inevitable highs and lows has left its mark on my soul and body.


But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Despite the hardships of earthly existence, I cling on to the hope of rebirth in the heavens.


The brightest day that I can say
I'll remember the most glorious day of my life.


When Jesus washed my sins away
The day when my soul was cleansed of its sins by the mercy of my Lord.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVON, TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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