When The Saints Go Marching In
Dr. John/Mavis Staples Lyrics
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When the saints go marching in
Mm I want to be, I'm gonna be in that number,
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
Oh when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When that old sun begins to shine,
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
Oh when my lord calls me home again.
Oh when the saints go marching in,
When the saints go marching in
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
When the saints go marching in.
Well when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When that sun begins to shine,
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
When that old sun begins to shine.
Lazy one time.
Mm mm, yeh, alright, mm, yeah,
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
Yeah when the saints go marching in,
Yeah when the saints go marching in
I tell you something, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
Yeah when the saints go marching in.
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
Oh when the saints go marching in.
"When The Saints Go Marching In" is a gospel hymn that Dr. John performs with his own unique style. The song is all about a deep desire to be in heaven when the saints go marching in. The repetitive usage of "When the saints go marching in" throughout the song emphasizes the ultimate goal of the singer. The phrase is used not just to reinforce the theme but also as a basis for a call-and-response chant that creates a sense of unity among listeners.
The second verse refers to seeing the shining sun, which is a metaphor for the light of God. The mention of the sun and the use of the phrase 'begins to shine' symbolizes hope for a brighter future. The verse also assures the listener that the singer strives to be among the chosen ones when the sun begins to shine on judgement day.
The final verse confirms the desire to be in that celestial number when the lord calls him home again. It's a final affirmation that regardless of what happens, the singer wants to be among those chosen to enter the kingdom of heaven. Dr. John's signature laid-back and jazzy style blend in flawlessly with the song's traditional gospel roots. The performance calls for a celebration of life and acknowledges the ultimate fulfillment of religious beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a-when the saints go marching in,
When the righteous people of the world reach heaven,
When the saints go marching in
When they enter the gates of heaven
Mm I want to be, I'm gonna be in that number,
I aim to be part of that group of people who make it to heaven
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
When they enter the gates of heaven
Oh when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When the sun rises
When that old sun begins to shine,
When the sun starts shining for the day
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
I am determined to be among the saved people who enter heaven
When the sun begins to shine.
When the day breaks and the sun comes up
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I declare that I will be counted among the saved people who enter heaven
Oh when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Lazy one time.
A moment of relaxation
Mm mm, yeh, alright, mm, yeah,
Sounds of agreement
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in,
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in
When the saved people enter heaven
I tell you something, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
I am confident that I will be among the saved people who enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I will be among the saved people who enter heaven
Oh when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind