Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Eric Clapton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Looked over Jordan what do I'd see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me


Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked up over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home
I saw a band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Overall Meaning

The song "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" by Eric Clapton is a spiritual that originated in the 19th century during the era of American slavery. The song conveys a sense of hope and anticipation for freedom in the afterlife, as a means of coping with the oppressive conditions of slavery. The lyrics speak of a sweet chariot coming to carry the singer home, with a band of angels following to guide them on their journey. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea of a nearing salvation that the singer eagerly awaits.


The first verse references "Jordan," which is a metaphor for crossing over into the afterlife, as it was associated with the River Jordan in the Bible, which was crossed by the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. The singer sees a band of angels coming to carry them home, which could be interpreted as a reference to the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom.


The repetition of the chorus and the simple melody create a sense of unity and hope in the face of adversity. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, Mahalia Jackson, and Beyonce. It has also been used as a sports anthem, particularly in rugby and soccer matches.


Line by Line Meaning

Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


I gazed across the Jordan river, only to see
The chariot of angels, here to take me home with glee


The sweet chariot, lowering down to carry me home
To beckon me to leave this earth and go to heaven's dome


When I looked up and over the Jordan river grand
I saw angels in formation, coming to take my hand


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


I looked over to the Jordan river, to my surprise
Angels were coming for me, to take me to the skies


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home


Swing the heavenly chariot low, oh how sweet it sounds
The chariot is on its way to take me to my final home




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, WOLFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and of Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Read Full BioEric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and of Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". He was also named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.

In the mid-1960s Clapton left the Yardbirds to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop". After Cream broke up, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Clapton's solo career began in the 1970s, where his work bore the influence of the mellow style of J. J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which was featured on his Unplugged album.

Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his solo career, Clapton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tulio

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry he home x 2

I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry he home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home



All comments from YouTube:

Greg Kuebler

It was 1976 and I was 10 years old and just bought the '45 single by Eric Clapton of "Swing low sweet chariot" and as I was playing it, my Mom, who was born in a Baptist household in Texas in 1930 began singing the words with Eric and I remember thinkin'...cool, Mom knows some modern music!! (Ooops)

Greg Kuebler

@MILLER BAKEOLIU I'd have to say "you" my brother.

MILLER BAKEOLIU

So who was the most racist in your family?

Søren Lindved

What a beautiful shorts story, I identify so much with "this young boys" little observation

MrDavenez

Thanks for sharing your memory, very cool 😎

5 More Replies...

Marty Smith

They don't do music like this anymore, what a talent. Xx

Lepercon

Sounds like some jugs in there

Judy Topaha

So sweet! In the 80's I would hear my mom singing this song, I believe she sang it at church too. I hear her singing out of the song book she had. She passed in 2009. I listen to this and remember her, she was so cool. Love this song all over again...

Neil van Jaarsveld

Can't believe how fresh this one still sounds.... Amazing!

정하옥

Awesome _ !!!

1 More Replies...
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