Swing
M.Sário Lyrics
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Commin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, a-commin after me
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
And now they're commin' for to carry me home
The lyrics to "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" are steeped in religious imagery and symbolism. The song speaks about the afterlife and the journey towards the Promised Land. The first verse speaks about looking over Jordan and seeing a band of angels coming to carry the singer home. The phrase "carry me home" is a euphemism for death and the idea of the soul ascending to heaven. The chorus of "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home" reinforces this idea of a journey towards the afterlife, with the chariot serving as a metaphor for the means of transportation to heaven.
The second verse speaks about the ups and downs of life, but the singer knows that their soul is "heavenly bound." This reinforces the idea that the journey towards the afterlife is inevitable and that death is a natural part of life. The final verse speaks about the singer's impending death and the idea that their friends will follow them to the afterlife. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces the idea of the journey towards the afterlife and the inevitability of death.
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was originally a traditional African American spiritual song. It has since been covered by countless artists, including Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and Beyoncé. The song has become particularly associated with rugby in England, where it has been sung as a traditional rugby anthem since the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
The singer saw a band of angels coming after them.
Commin' for to carry me home
The angels were coming to take the singer to their heavenly home.
Swing low, sweet chariot
The angels' transportation to the afterlife is a metaphorical chariot.
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
The artist may experience highs and lows throughout life.
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Despite life's ups and downs, the artist is confident that their soul will go to heaven.
If you get there before I do
The singer may not arrive in heaven at the same time as their friends.
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
The singer wants their friends to know they will join them in heaven eventually.
And now they're commin' for to carry me home
The angels are now taking the artist to their heavenly home.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCESCO MOCCHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind