When The Saints Go Marching In
Earl Perkins Lyrics


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We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)

O when the Saints go marching in
When the Saints go marching in
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun begins to shine
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

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

When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry




O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

Overall Meaning

The song "When the Saints Go Marching In" by Earl Perkins is a Gospel tune that speaks about a desire to be reunited with loved ones who have gone before and be part of a new world that is revealed. The first verse talks about walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before and hoping to be reunited with them in a new and sunlit shore. The rest of the song has the singer expressing the desire to be in that number when certain events happen, such as when the saints go marching in, when the sun begins to shine, when the moon turns red with blood, when the trumpet sounds the call, when the revelation comes, when the rich go out to work, when the air is pure and clean, when we all have food to eat, and when our leaders learn to cry.


The song is very much rooted in the Christian belief of an afterlife and a new world that is to come. It speaks of a hope that things will get better and that all the suffering and pain in this life is temporary. The singer expresses that they are waiting for these promised events to occur and that they want to be part of that number, indicating that the Christian faith demands active participation and action towards the betterment of oneself and society.


In conclusion, "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a song of hope and faith in the Christian tradition. It speaks of the promise of a new world, a better one, and the singer expresses a desire to be a part of it. Overall, it is a message of perseverance, community, and faith in a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

We are traveling in the footsteps
We are following the paths of those who have gone before us


Of those who've gone before
Of the people who have lived before us


But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand united)
But we will be together again, only if we remain united


On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
In a new and bright place, where a new world awaits


O when the Saints go marching in
O when the Saints are gathered together


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun starts to shine


And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun starts to shine


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood


When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


On that hallelujah day
On the day when hallelujah is sung


On that hallelujah day
On the day when hallelujah is sung


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet announces the arrival


O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet announces the arrival


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


Some say this world of trouble
Some say this world of suffering


Is the only one we need
Is the only one necessary


But I'm waiting for that morning
But I am waiting for that morning


When the new world is revealed
When the new world is unveiled


When the revelation comes
When the revelation is revealed


When the revelation comes
When the revelation is revealed


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out to work


When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out to work


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


When the air is pure and clean
When the air is clean and pure


When the air is pure and clean
When the air is clean and pure


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


When we all have food to eat
When we all have enough food to eat


When we all have food to eat
When we all have enough food to eat


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together


When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to weep


When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to weep


O Lord, I want to be in that number
O Lord, I want to be a part of that group


When the Saints go marching in
When the Saints are gathered together




Lyrics © BRASSTACKS ALLIANCE , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS BARBER, JAMES MILTON BLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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