Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band feat. Jerry Garcia Lyrics

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Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan and what did I see coming for to carry me home
A band of angels is coming after me, coming for to carry me home.

If you come to heaven before I do, coming for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I'll be coming there too coming for to carry me home.
Well I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down coming for to carry me home,

But I'd steal my soul if it ever were down coming for to carry me home

Overall Meaning

In Jerry Garcia's rendition of the classic spiritual, "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", he sings about the hope of being carried away to heaven by a chariot of angels. This hope stems from the imagery of looking across the Jordan River and seeing a band of angels coming to take him to his final resting place. In the context of the song, "home" carries the dual meaning of both a physical place and a spiritual place in the afterlife.

The second verse of the song takes on a communal aspect, with the singer asking the listener to pass on a message to their friends in heaven that they too will be coming "home". In this way, death is seen as a unifying force that brings people together in a place of peace and rest.

The final verse takes a more introspective turn, with the singer acknowledging the ups and downs of life but ultimately declaring their willingness to give up their soul if it ever becomes lost. This echoes the Christian belief that one's soul is one's most valuable possession, and should be guarded and kept close to God.

Overall, Jerry Garcia's interpretation of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" provides a powerful message of hope and faith, reminding listeners that even in the face of death, there is the promise of a peaceful afterlife awaiting them.

Line by Line Meaning

Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
I am looking forward to my final journey home, where I will be taken by a chariot.

Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
I am so eager for that chariot to come and take me home, to my final resting place.

I looked over Jordan and what did I see coming for to carry me home
When I looked across the river Jordan, I could see the band of angels who have come for me.

A band of angels is coming after me, coming for to carry me home.
There is a group of heavenly beings who are coming after me to take me home, where I belong.

If you come to heaven before I do, coming for to carry me home,
If by chance you get to heaven before I do and see the chariot coming, please tell my loved ones that I will also be coming home soon.

Tell all my friends I'll be coming there too coming for to carry me home.
Make sure that those I care about know that I am coming home soon as well.

Well I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down coming for to carry me home,
I have had my fair share of ups and downs in life, but regardless of my circumstances, I know that I will be going home soon.

But I'd steal my soul if it ever were down coming for to carry me home
If there were ever a time when I felt like I was losing faith, I would do everything in my power to keep my soul strong so that I can make that journey home.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, FRANCESCO MOCCHI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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