When the Saints Go Marching in
Johnny Cash/Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
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Of those who've gone before,
And we'll all be reunited,
On a new and sunlit shore,
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord, how I want to be in that number
And when the sun refuse to shine
And when the sun refuse to shine
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the sun refuse to shine
And when the moon turns red with blood
And when the moon turns red with blood
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the moon turns red with blood
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the trumpet sounds its call
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.
Oh When the new world is revealed
Oh When the new world is revealed
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the new world is revealed
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Johnny Cash's "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a spiritual song that speaks metaphorically about the journey of human life and the ultimate destination of the soul. The lyrics suggest that human beings are like travelers who are following in the footsteps of those who have gone before, and that their ultimate goal is to be reunited with their loved ones in a new and sunlit shore. The imagery of the new world that is revealed after the end of this world shows us that the song speaks of the Second Coming of Christ, and the apocalypse that will accompany it. The refrain, "When the saints go marching in," refers to the Christian belief in the Rapture, when those who are saved will be taken up to Heaven.
The song also touches on the idea that this world is not the only one we need, and that there is a better world waiting for us. This idea ties in with the Christian belief that this world is corrupt, and that eternal salvation is only possible through faith in Christ. Each verse of the song presents a different scenario, such as the sun refusing to shine and the moon turning red with blood, which symbolize the end of times. The lyrics suggest that these terrifying situations will be accompanied by the sound of the trumpet, which will call the saints to their final destination.
Line by Line Meaning
We are trav'ling in the footsteps
We are following the path of those who have come before us
Of those who've gone before,
We are following the footsteps of those who have passed on
And we'll all be reunited,
We will all come together again
On a new and sunlit shore,
In a new and bright world
Oh, when the saints go marching in
When the good and righteous enter the new world
Lord, how I want to be in that number
I long to be among these righteous souls
And when the sun refuse to shine
When the world falls into darkness
And when the moon turns red with blood
And when the world is filled with strife and violence
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
When the end is near and judgement comes
Some say this world of trouble,
Some believe that this world is all there is, despite its difficulties
Is the only one we need,
They believe that this life is sufficient
But I'm waiting for that morning,
But I am looking forward to a new beginning
When the new world is revealed.
When the new, better world is finally shown to us
Oh When the new world is revealed
When the new and glorious world is brought forth
Oh, when the saints go marching in
When the good and righteous enter the new world
Lord, how I want to be in that number
I long to be a part of this righteous group
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind