When the Saints Go Marching in
Dr John 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.
The lyrics of Dr John's song "When The Saints Go Marching In" are about the singer's desire to be part of the group of saints who will go to heaven when they die. The song begins with the statement that when the saints go marching in, the singer wants to be in that number. This desire is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's strong longing to be a part of this group. The idea of the sun beginning to shine is used to signify the start of a new day, perhaps life after death. The singer wants to be in the number of saints when that new day arrives.
The second verse is similar to the first, stating that when the sun begins to shine, the singer wants to be in that number. The third verse adds the detail that when the lord calls the singer home again (probably referring to death), they want to be in that number too. This verse emphasizes the importance of being part of the "number" of saints, implying that there is some kind of power or safety in being part of this group. Overall, the song expresses a deep desire for salvation and a fear of being left behind when the saints go marching in.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a-when the saints go marching in,
When the righteous people of the world are summoned to heaven,
Mm I want to be, I'm gonna be in that number,
I desire and intend to be counted among the righteous that will enter heaven,
Oh when the sun yeah begins to shine.
At the beginning of the new day, when the sun rises,
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
I want to be included among the righteous souls that will enter heaven when the day begins,
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When it is time for me to leave this earth and return to my creator,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I am determined to be counted among the blessed and righteous souls that will enter heaven,
Oh when the saints go marching in,
At that time when the righteous people of the world are summoned to heaven,
Well when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When the new day begins and the sun rises,
Lazy one time.
Relax for a moment,
Mm mm, yeh, alright, mm, yeah,
Expressing satisfaction in a laid-back manner,
Yeah when the saints go marching in,
When the righteous people of the world are summoned to heaven,
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When it is time for me to leave this earth and return to my creator,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I am committed to being counted among the blessed and righteous souls that will enter heaven,
Lyrics © EB MUSIC SERVICES
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Boner Boyz
The single most underrated pianist ever? RIP to the good Doc. An encyclopedia of American music history went to his grave.
zivkovicable
Bless the genius of Mac. But the most underrated piano player ever (especially in his lifetime)? That would be James Booker. I knew the good Doctor, & I know he would agree. Dr John played to packed houses, won Grammy's & sold a ton of records. He was rated. Booker died broke & played in bars.
The Boogie Man
He was known as a singer songwriter, as a pianist I would say the most underrated, he was known, just not as a pianist
The Boogie Man
I guess, I mean I’m only 16 and from the northeast so what do I know, 😂
big boss bob ross
I don’t know about “underrated”? Anyone who likes the blues or southern music loves dr John. He’s hella known. Specially down here
big boss bob ross
@Doug Trammell Yankees, man. Sheesh
Scott Lynch
Rest In Peace Dr. John. I pray the Good Lord takes you and that you are celebrating with His Saints soon.
fanmaxis3004
Damn this guy makes me wanna learn piano
Rsand 7519
Yeah, and when you're already playing this guy makes you wanna stop as you realise his playing is unhuman.... Never heard somebody play like the Doc.
Steve Lawrence
All the best licks in this one. Doc's playing is so exciting and satisfying. This is my all time favorite "Saints" by anyone. Love the contrast in styles/speeds and the setup from the dirge to the romp.