Michael
Highwaymen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
The river Jordan is chilly and cold, hallelujah
Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

The river is deep and the river is wide, hallelujah
Milk and honey on the other side, hallelujah





Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the Highwaymen's song "Michael" are a call-and-response style spiritual song that originated in African American slave communities in the 19th century. The main verse is sung by a leader or a soloist, while the chorus is repeated by the rest of the group. The song speaks of crossing the River Jordan, which is a metaphor for crossing over to the Promised Land and entering heaven after death.


The song is sung from the perspective of Michael, who is rowing a boat across the river while his sister helps trim the sail. The line "Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah" is a reference to the idea of Michael being a spiritual leader and guide for those crossing the river. When the chorus responds with "sister help to trim the sail," it is a call for cooperation and support amongst the community.


The second stanza of the song speaks of the River Jordan being "chilly and cold" and how it might chill the body but not the soul. This is a metaphor for the struggles and hardships of life, which may affect one's physical being but cannot touch their spirit or soul. The final stanza speaks of the river being deep and wide, but on the other side, there is "milk and honey," which is a biblical reference to the Promised Land. The song ends with the call for Michael to row the boat ashore.


Line by Line Meaning

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Encouragement for Michael to keep rowing towards the destination with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration


Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah
Request for help from Michael's sister to set the sail properly and make the journey easier, with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration


The river Jordan is chilly and cold, hallelujah
Acknowledgment of the difficult and uncomfortable nature of the journey across the river Jordan, with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration


Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah
Despite the physical hardships, the metaphorical 'soul' remains unaffected, with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration


The river is deep and the river is wide, hallelujah
The journey ahead is challenging, but with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration, Michael and his sister have the strength to face it


Milk and honey on the other side, hallelujah
Promise of a better future or 'promised land' on the other side of the river Jordan, with the chorus of 'hallelujah' as a sign of praise and celebration




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID FISHER

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
Comments from YouTube:

@mackdog832

God I loved this song as a young boy….here I am and still love it ❀

@josephhooks2387

A GODPEL TUNE! CAME DARN CLOSE TO BEING THE TOP BILLBOARD SONG FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR 1961! FINISHED AT #3 ON THE BILLBOARD TOP 25. NOT BAD FOR THESE YOUNG MEN!

@graceleal3910

What beautiful harmony. It takes you back in time. You don't hear music like that anymore, and we need it !

@jmiller9999

My mom played this all the time, while cleaning the house. And I miss those times; as she passed late October, 2023. She was only 61.😭

@SeekLuminousThings

I’ve loved this song ever since we used to sing it in primary school in 1985 when I was five years old.

@johngolden891

My cub scout den enjoyed singing this when it first came out. Have always loved
the Highwaymen's harmonies and the soulful whistling at the song's start and conclusion

@askovarjorinne9074

Awesome thatΒ΄s all! πŸŽΆπŸŽΆπŸ‘‰πŸ‘‰πŸ’«πŸ’«

@ghostrider-ek8gu

Smooth as silk.
Fantastic!

@donnarogers7732

My Baby boy ,now 47 soon 48 ,was named after this song! I thought it a haunting melody! All the Folk groups of the 1960s covered it ,I think ! This was just before he "British invasion"! Say what you will about the Sixty's, it was the best time! Altho the decade ends in the unnecessary Bloodbath of the Vietnam War, the music and the Movement were the revolution that set in motion some of the most iconic happenings that can ever be! In the last 125 years ,each decade has had it's loss of innocence as All decades must experience! So many of the " Boomer" generation have been heard to say " We have lived the Best times! " I believe when innocence is lost thru Worldwide or personal change, one holds on to the "Best" of before" and struggle to make sense of "the after!" I have been most fortunate to live the last half of the 20th century, knowing my grandparents,and Great grands,aunt's and Uncles,my parents cousins and my friends families as well, growing up with the stories of " in my day" and Listening,absorbing my history! I know a lot, yet my grandchildren ,who were so far away when this song first emerged, know so much more! Such is the movement of Time! The most misused,taken for granted ,Gift we are Blessed with! Use it wisely my young friends! Listen to the Elders! You will learn much you can use!βœŒοΈβŒβ­•πŸ’š

@CalamityJoanie

Number one song on the day I was born. 9/8/61 πŸ₯°

More Comments

More Versions