When The Saints Go Marching In
Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready to beat out this mellow sermon for you
My text this evenin's "When The Saints Go Marching In"
Here come brother Higginbotham down the aisle with his trombone, blow it, boy
Oh, when the Saints (when the saints)
Go marching in (marching in)
Now, when the Saints go marching in (marching in)
When the Saints go marching in
Blow it, brother Holmes
Now when the Saints (when the saints)
Go marching in (marching in)
Oh, when the Saints go marching in (marching in)
Yes, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
The lyrics of When The Saints Go Marching In have a religious connotation and refer to the idea of heaven, where saints dance and sing praises in the presence of God. The song is a classic gospel hymn, and the message is significant as it emphasizes the importance of living righteously so that one can be counted among the chosen when the saints march in. The opening lines, which are spoken by the Rev. Satchmo (i.e., Louis Armstrong), convey the mood of the entire song, and the call to action is felt throughout the entire track.
The song's lyrics are easy to remember, which makes it a popular tune to sing in church and other religious gatherings. It is also known for its catchy melody, which is upbeat and joyous, and that makes it a perfect song to dance to. The song has been covered by many popular artists, including Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, and Elvis Presley, just to name a few. The version by Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong is one of the most famous.
The song was composed near the start of the 20th century and has a fascinating history. In the 1930s and 40s, it gained popularity as a jazz song, and many famous musicians of the time covered it in their own unique style. Besides, many people believe that it originated in New Orleans, specifically among the jazz musicians of the city. Some historians, however, dispute this theory and suggest that the song may have been Keltic in origin. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most recognizable gospel songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Sisters and brothers
Greetings, fellow members of the congregation
This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready to beat out this mellow sermon for you
I, Reverend Satchmo, am about to play a calming song for you
My text this evenin's "When The Saints Go Marching In"
The subject of today's sermon is the song 'When The Saints Go Marching In'
Here come brother Higginbotham down the aisle with his trombone, blow it, boy
Brother Higginbotham is entering the room with his trombone, and let's hear him play!
Oh, when the Saints (when the saints)
Oh, when the holy people (when the holy people)
Go marching in (marching in)
Parade through the streets with a lively beat (parade through the streets with a lively beat)
Now, when the Saints go marching in (marching in)
The moment when the holy people parade through the streets with a lively beat
Yes, I want to be in that number
Yes, I want to be counted among those holy people
When the Saints go marching in
When the holy people parade through the streets with a lively beat
Blow it, brother Holmes
Play your instrument, brother Holmes!
Now when the Saints (when the saints)
Now when the holy people (when the holy people)
Go marching in (marching in)
Parade through the streets with a lively beat (parade through the streets with a lively beat)
Oh, when the Saints go marching in (marching in)
Oh, that moment when the holy people parade through the streets with a lively beat
Yes, I want to be in that number
Yes, I want to be counted among those holy people
When the Saints go marching in
When the holy people parade through the streets with a lively beat
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fendi Putraasa Prilana
Oh when the saints
When the saints
Go marching in
Go marching in
When the saints go marching in
I wanna be in that number
Oh when the saints go marching in
And when the saints (when the saints)
Go marching in (go marching in)
Who’s gonna play on the band when they go marching in
By the way, I’ll explain that now
The mostest and the greatest
From the oldest to the latest
Gonna play in the band, in the great brass band
When the saints go marching in
Louie what about Brown, he laid no bone
And Chopin, a solid man
And Bach that great old masser,
Yeah that great old masser was a gasser
moos of the moos with all he had
with the symphonies and operas and all that jazz
when the saints go marching in.
Do you think right Rachmoninoff, on and off
Rimsky? of Korsakov
Ravel and Gustav Mahler, yeah but don’t forget Fats Waller, I wouldn’t do that
Liszt has a twist that you can’t resist, yeah yeah put Liszt on that list
When the saints go marching in.
When the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
I wanna be in that number oh
When the saints go marching in
Les sens sans, sens sans troupe
And George Bizet, tres tres bizet
You tans soupet machenet and all through bob
do you digging john, very often
well Frere Jacques Frere Jacques
I dig you Jacques i dig you Jacques
massenez en easy, massenez en easy
How about Wagner? Devout!
And Haydn? Who?, Joseph Haydn, Who? Haydn! Well, let him come out. Pascinini? What’s in it? hatchootorian, Gesundheit, thank you
Now what’s his name? Mr. bidelisat and you know that cat? scibbedidiado
babbadiddadiididoo blablablabla
Too high and too loud
bibbidado…
The saints go marching in
Liza Elliott
Watching them is like escaping into a world of pure entertainment and happiness.
a3stheticwxrld
i love you
Jennifer Herrmann
Such a moment of bliss, I am literally standing here crying of joy!
miguelacho1710
Yes!... exactly what I was thinking !!!!
Patricia Kreklow
Liza Elliott you took the words right out my thoughts too!!!😁🥰
Michael Terrell
Put my thoughts into words incredible
Steve March-Torme
Thanks Erez. Louis' legend speaks for itself. Those who know, remember what an unbelievably versatile talent Danny Kaye was. Back in those days, you had to be able to sing, act, dance (including tap) and that was just for starters. Danny, Mickey Rooney, Sammy Davis Jr., my dad Mel, Gene Kelly, Gregory Hines (to update it a bit). I admire those people so much because it takes HOURS and HOURS of rehearsal to be that good. Cream of the crop.
Mark Cherny
Great respect to your father 🎵🙏🏻
Fred Nutz
I doubt if there is a performer today that can match these two.
Brilliant.
Kathy Smith
Thanks, Jeff!