Swing Low
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

The song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot was first written by a slave named Wallace Willis in Oklahoma in the 19th century. The lyrics show a yearning for freedom from the hardships and brutality they faced while being enslaved. The lyrics talk about being carried away from the physical and emotional suffering through the metaphor of the chariot. The chariot mentioned in the song represents the underground railroad network that was used by slaves to flee from the South to the North.

In the first stanza, the singer is calling for the chariot to come and take them home. It can be said that the mention of "home" here represents the sense of belonging and being free that slaves longed for. In the second stanza, the singer mentions seeing a band of angels coming to take them home after looking over Jordan, which is a reference to the Jordan River that separated the Promised Land and is often mentioned in the Bible. The mention of angels represents hope and the possibility of a better life.

The following stanzas talk about the singer's current state of being, both emotionally and spiritually. The singer tells others that if they arrive home before him, they should let his loved ones know that he is coming too. The lyrics convey a sense of unity and hope that everyone will eventually be brought together and free from their suffering. The repetitive "comin' for to carry me home" reinforces the idea that freedom from slavery is the ultimate goal.