He recorded a number of popular albums with fellow trombonist Kai Winding, as well as many solo albums, and was a sideman on many classic jazz recordings. Several of his compositions, including "Wee Dot," "Lament," and "Enigma" are considered jazz standards. He was part of the Third Stream movement in jazz music in the late 1950s and early 1960s and wrote a number of large-scale works which incorporated elements of both classical and jazz music.
In his early twenties he developed a remarkable, flawless technique and was the first trombonist to rise to the challenge of bebop music, remaining unchallenged at the forefront of modern jazz throughout his career. In 1970 he ceased performing in public for most of 17 years, before a comeback in the late 1980s. From the mid fifties on, he was a perennial polling favorite in jazz circles, even winning Down Beat's "Trombonist of the Year" during years he wasn't active. Voted into Down Beat's Hall of Fame in 1995, J. J. Johnson's recording career spanned 54 years, from 1942 to 1996.
He has long been regarded as the greatest trombonist of the post-Swing Era, a pervasive influence on other jazz musicians, and one of jazz's legendary figures.
When The Saints Go Marching In
J.J. Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a classic gospel hymn that speaks to the idea of eternal life and the hope of being reunited with loved ones in heaven. The lyrics reflect a deep longing for a better future, one where the world is free from pain and suffering, and everyone can live in harmony. The first stanza refers to following in the footsteps of those who have gone before us and being reunited on a new and sunlit shore. The chorus talks about wanting to be in the number when the saints go marching in, representing the desire to be among those who will be saved in the afterlife.
Throughout the song, there are references to various events that mark the end of the world as we know it, such as when the sun begins to shine and the moon turns red with blood. The idea here is that these moments will signal the start of a new world, one where everything will be perfect and free from pain and struggle. There are also references to social justice, such as when the rich go out and work and when our leaders learn to cry, which point to a future where people are more equitable and caring towards one another.
Overall, "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a traditional gospel hymn that conveys a sense of hope and longing. It speaks to the human desire for a better future and the promise of eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
We are traveling in the footsteps
We are following in the path of those who came before us
Of those who've gone before
The people who came before us have already walked this path
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
We will come together once again (if we stand together)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
We will arrive at a new and better place, a new world is waiting for us
O when the Saints go marching in
When the righteous people come together
O Lord, I want to be in that number
I want to be among them
And when the sun begins to shine
When good things start to happen
When the moon turns red with blood
When there is great suffering or danger
On that hallelujah day
On the day of celebration
O when the trumpet sounds the call
When it is time for the righteous to come together
Some say this world of trouble
Some believe that the problems of this world are all that matter
Is the only one we need
But there is more to life than just this world
When the revelation comes
When the truth is revealed
When the rich go out and work
When everyone contributes to society
When the air is pure and clean
When the environment is healthy and safe
When we all have food to eat
When everyone has their basic needs met
When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders show empathy and emotion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CROW, HENDERSON, RATLIFF, WELCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind