Flatt was born in Jackson County, Tennessee to Nannie Mae Haney and Isaac Columbus Flatt.[1] A singer and guitarist, he first came to prominence as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in the 1940s. In 1948 he started a band with fellow Monroe alumnus Earl Scruggs, and for the next twenty years Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys were one of the most successful bands in bluegrass. When they parted ways in 1969, Flatt formed a new group, the Nashville Grass, hiring most of the Foggy Mountain Boys. His role as lead singer and rhythm guitar player in each of these seminal ensembles helped define the sound of traditional bluegrass music. He created a role in the Bluegrass Boys later filled by the likes of Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Peter Rowan and Del McCoury. His rich lead voice is unmistakable in hundreds of bluegrass standards. He is also always remembered for his library of compositions. The Flatt songbook looms titanic for any student of American acoustic music. He continued to record and perform with that group until his death in 1979. Flatt was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985 with Scruggs. He was posthumously made an inaugural inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1991.
Flatt and Scruggs were ranked #24 on CMT's 40 Greatest Men in Country Music in 2003.
When the Saints Go Marching in
Lester Flatt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Lord I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in
[ dobro ]
Oh when the stars begin to fall when the stars begin to fall
Oh Lord I want to be in that number when the stars begin to fall
Oh when the saints...
[ harmonica ]
Oh when they crown him Lord of all when they crown him Lord of all
Oh when the saints...
The lyrics of "When The Saints Go Marching In" by Lester Flatt;Earl Scruggs is an inspirational and hopeful song about the Christian belief of the afterlife. The song expresses a desire to be among the number of saints when they ascend to heaven. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Lord I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in" emphasizes the singer's earnest wish. The inclusion of the lines "when the stars begin to fall" and "when they crown him Lord of all" signifies the anticipation of the upcoming event of the second coming of Christ. All the three verses of the song essentially convey the same theme of the singer's desire to be among those who will be saved on Judgment Day.
There are numerous interpretations of the song. While some view it as a celebration of the end of the world and the Last Judgment, others see it as a symbolic representation of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped African American slaves escape to freedom. The song is known for its upbeat and joyful melody, perfect for accompanying a parade of saints marching into heaven. It has become a gospel standard and is a staple at funerals and weddings. Its popularity has led to several cover versions and adaptations by various artists across genres.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh when the saints go marching in when the saints go marching in
I want to be in the company of the righteous when they enter heaven
Oh Lord I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in
I want to be among those who are saved and enter heaven
[ dobro ]
Instrumental interlude
Oh when the stars begin to fall when the stars begin to fall
When the end of the world comes and there is chaos and destruction
Oh Lord I want to be in that number when the stars begin to fall
I want to be saved and with the righteous even in times of great calamity
Oh when the saints...
Repetition of the opening lines
[ harmonica ]
Instrumental interlude
Oh when they crown him Lord of all when they crown him Lord of all
When God is recognized as the supreme ruler of all
Oh Lord I want to be in that number when they crown him Lord of all
I want to be among those who acknowledge God's ultimate authority
Oh when the saints...
Repetition of the opening lines
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Mietus
Take,I think Your line-up for this record isn't correct.According to 6 CD BOX Discography released on Bear Family -Box BCD 15879FI released in 1995 as "Flatt & Scruggs,1964-1969,Plus".Correct line-up is as Follow;Lester Flatt-guitar,lead vocals;Earl Scruggs-Banjo,baritone vocals,guitar-A1; Burhett Graves-Dobro;English "Jake"Tullock-String bass,High baritone vocal,tenor vocal;Paul Warren-fiddle;Charles"Charlie" McCoy-harmonica-A2;Thomas Grady Martin -lead guitarJunior Huskey-string bass;Buddy Harman,Jr.-drumsEarl Taylor-mandolin-A2,A5,A6;harmonica-A3,A4;