When The Saints Go Marching In
Cash/Lewis Lyrics

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We are trav'ling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before,
And we'll all be reunited,
On a new and sunlit shore,

Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord, how I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

And when the sun refuse to shine
And when the sun refuse to shine
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the sun refuse to shine

And when the moon turns red with blood
And when the moon turns red with blood
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the moon turns red with blood

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the trumpet sounds its call

Some say this world of trouble,
Is the only one we need,
But I'm waiting for that morning,
When the new world is revealed.

Oh When the new world is revealed
Oh When the new world is revealed
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the new world is revealed

Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in

Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "When The Saints Go Marching In" by Cash/Lewis are a hymn of anticipation for the day when the saints arrive in a new world. The first two lines set up the song's theme of following in the footsteps of those who have gone before, and the promise of their reunion on a new and sunlit shore. This alludes to the Christian belief in a heaven where believers will be reunited with loved ones and live in paradise.

The chorus repeats the phrase "when the saints go marching in" and expresses a longing to be among the number of the saints when they arrive. The second verse adds to the sense of anticipation, with the lines "And when the sun refuse to shine / And when the moon turns red with blood." These are images of apocalyptic events that are described in the Bible, which signify the end of the world and the coming of Christ.

The third verse again expresses a wish to be taken up with the saints when the trumpet sounds, which is also a biblical reference. The final verse offers a contrast between the troubles of this world and the promise of a new and better world revealed in the morning. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the song's message of waiting and longing for the arrival of the saints in a new world.

Line by Line Meaning

We are trav'ling in the footsteps
We are following the path of those who came before us

Of those who've gone before,
The ones who came before us

And we'll all be reunited,
We will be gathered together

On a new and sunlit shore,
In a new and bright place

Oh, when the saints go marching in
When the holy ones arrive

Lord, how I want to be in that number
I wish to be among them

And when the sun refuse to shine
When there is darkness all around

Oh, when the moon turns red with blood
When there is chaos and destruction

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
When it is time to gather and be judged

Some say this world of trouble,
Some believe that this world is all there is

Is the only one we need,
That this world is sufficient

But I'm waiting for that morning,
But I anticipate a new dawn

When the new world is revealed.
When a new and better world is shown

Oh, When the new world is revealed
When a new world is shown

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL BLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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