Swing Low
Dustbowl Revival Lyrics

Swing low, sweet chariot
The singer is calling for a mode of transportation, represented by a sweet and gentle chariot, to take them away.

Comin' for to carry me home
The singer repeats that the chariot is coming to take them away from their current situation and towards a place of safety and comfort that is represented by the word 'home'.

When I went to the doctor,
The singer describes a time when they went to see a doctor for their troubles and worries.

the docter he said,
The artist is mentioning what the doctor told them during their visit.

He got a big old rock
The artist describes a large and heavy object that the doctor possesses.

He rolls around in your head
The singer goes on to explain that the doctor uses this heavy object to roll around in the patient's head, which can cause various negative effects.

Well, went to the hospital
The singer recounts another instance where they had to go to the hospital for medical attention.

Under the night
The artist clarifies that this hospital visit occurred at night.

Well, the nurse cried out,
The artist brings up what the nurse they encountered during their hospital visit shouted or exclaimed.

We done lost this young boy's life
The nurse laments that they were unable to save the young boy's life.

Mama, sing
The singer calls out to their mother, asking her to sing.

When I got up to Heaven
The artist describes a moment when they arrived in Heaven.

I mean the, the pearly gate
The singer is specifying which part of Heaven they are located in, which is the area with the 'pearly gates'.

Well, Saint Peter up above me
The singer sees Saint Peter, who is known in religious texts as the gatekeeper of Heaven, above them.

said son ya gotta learn how to wait
Saint Peter tells the singer that they need to be patient and wait for their rightful place in Heaven.

When I woke up the next mornin'
The artist talks about waking up from their sleep the next morning.

Hear the sweet little sound
The artist hears a soft and gentle noise.

Well, I woke up the next mornin'
The singer repeats their statement from the previous line.

I was six feet underground
The singer realizes that they are in a grave that is set six feet below the ground level.

And I could hear the preacher
The artist hears the voice of a religious leader, or preacher, in the distance.

singin' in his futile tone
The artist believes that the preacher's singing is empty and useless.

And I screamed out to the Lord,
The artist calls out to their God for help and a way out of their current situation.

Don't let me die here all alone
The singer begs God to not let them die in their grave and be alone.

Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot
The artist repeats their earlier plea for the sweet chariot to come and take them away.

Yeah...
The singer adds an emphatic 'yeah' to their statement for emphasis.

Now it's comin' for to carry me home
The singer repeats that the sweet chariot is on its way to take them home or to safety.

Yes, it was
The singer affirms that their statement from the previous line is true or accurate.

Comin' for to carry me home
The artist repeats their hope and belief that the sweet chariot is coming to rescue them.