When The Saints Go Marching In
Elvis Presley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 lyrics of Elvis Presley's "When the Saints Go Marching In" explore themes of redemption, salvation, and the desire to be reunited with loved ones in a new and better world. The song begins by acknowledging the footsteps of those who've gone before us and the hope for a reunion on a new sunlit shore. This idea of being with loved ones again is repeated throughout the song, with the desire to be part of the number of saints marching in.


The song acknowledges that this world can be full of trouble, but looks forward to a morning when a new world is revealed. This is a reference to the biblical Book of Revelation, which predicts a new world where the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished. The song continues with references to other positive changes, such as when the rich go out to work, the air is pure and clean, and leaders learn to cry. These verses suggest a longing for societal and environmental changes that would benefit all people.


In summary, "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a song that expresses a desire for salvation and reunion with loved ones in a new, better world. It also touches on hopes for positive societal changes that would benefit everyone.


Line by Line Meaning

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


Of those who've gone before
Those who came before us left a path for us to follow


But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
When we come together, we will be reunited


On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
This new world will bring light to us and a new future


O when the Saints go marching in
When people of good nature come together


When the Saints go marching in
People of good nature coming together is a cause for celebration


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


And when the sun begins to shine
A new dawn will rise


And when the sun begins to shine
A new dawn will rise


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


When the moon turns red with blood
When things get out of control


When the moon turns red with blood
When things get out of control


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


On that hallelujah day
On the day of great celebration


On that hallelujah day
On the day of great celebration


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


O when the trumpet sounds the call
When the call comes to join our group


O when the trumpet sounds the call
When the call comes to join our group


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


Some say this world of trouble
Some believe this life is full of problems and difficulties


Is the only one we need
They believe that's all there is to life


But I'm waiting for that morning
I, however, am waiting for the future


When the new world is revealed
And a better world is finally revealed to us


When the revelation comes
When the time comes for this revelation to take place


When the revelation comes
When the time comes for this revelation to take place


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


When the rich go out and work
When everyone is equal and united in their efforts


When the rich go out and work
When everyone is equal and united in their efforts


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


When the air is pure and clean
When the environment is healthy and clean


When the air is pure and clean
When the environment is healthy and clean


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


When we all have food to eat
When everyone is well-fed and taken care of


When we all have food to eat
When everyone is well-fed and taken care of


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


When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders start to show compassion


When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders start to show compassion


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




Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS BARBER, JAMES MILTON BLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Nahuel Vallejo

Let's snap our fingers clap our hands 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
Let's give 'em what the song demands 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
We'll hear them playing keep that beat 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
Let's get together what a treat 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside 

Strike up the band, start the parade 
Don't let that grand old rhythm fade 
Just play that drum, play that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
Shake tambourines, play that cornet 
Crank up that horn you won't forget 
Your heart will hum to that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
The cymbals clang, just pound that beat 
Sounds like a hundred marching feet 
It's fun to join in that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
See banners wave, oh hear that ring 
We all feel prouder than a king 
'Cause everyone, everyone loves that number



Abraham Benabou

Alors, parce que Broadway il va dire :
Tout ressemble à la musique que c’est comme Let it be des Beatles !
Et la panthère noire en peluche du soldat rose
Et la chanson de l’extraterrestre de Émilie jolie
Et kirikou
Et la feuille blanche de diam’s
Et la chanson joyeuse de la cucaracha!
Et bateau sur l’eau
Et hava nagila !
Et mon beau sapin
Et mon imagier de l’alphabet
Et alouette gentille alouette
Et les comédiens de monsieur Charles Aznavour
Et la chanson des petits pois et carottes de Matan Ariel!
Et uzi hitman
Et Beethoven !
Et Rossini!
Et la chanson de l’autruche de Émilie jolie qui va être à Broadway !
Et les aristochats



All comments from YouTube:

no288

Everytime I listen to Elvis I begin to smile....'cus he makes you feel good, and thats what he loved to do, to sing and entertain for people ;) Merry x-mas, to all the Elvis fans outthere....

Kathy Harze

Not one of his best but he still manages to draw you in with that smile n lovely voice go Elvis 😚

66kevsmith

my fav elvis song of all time

Mete Buyuran

@66kevsmith Really? :D

Pamela Tipson

It's nice to see Elvis enjoy what he singing 😌 great

James Rasco

Elvis is the best person to come out of Mississippi

Ray Adkins

Awesome, Long Live The King......AlwaysElvis

Nahuel Vallejo

Let's snap our fingers clap our hands 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
Let's give 'em what the song demands 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
We'll hear them playing keep that beat 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside 
Let's get together what a treat 
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside 

Strike up the band, start the parade 
Don't let that grand old rhythm fade 
Just play that drum, play that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
Shake tambourines, play that cornet 
Crank up that horn you won't forget 
Your heart will hum to that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
The cymbals clang, just pound that beat 
Sounds like a hundred marching feet 
It's fun to join in that number 
When the saints come marchin' in 
See banners wave, oh hear that ring 
We all feel prouder than a king 
'Cause everyone, everyone loves that number

Yolanda Neuhaus

Elvis el Rey !!

John Smith

love this

More Comments

More Versions