Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Marvin Hannibal Peterson Lyrics

The lyrics of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" by Marvin Hannibal Peterson is a spiritual song that has been popularized in African American history. The song draws inspiration from the biblical story of Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, which is mentioned in the Book of Kings. The opening of the song, "I looked over Jordan and what did I see?" speaks of the singer's vision of heaven and the afterlife. The band of angels represents the singer's understanding of the divine and the transport to the afterlife that will eventually come. The repetition of "comin' for to carry me home" underlines the urgency and need that the singer feels for spiritual salvation.

The second stanza, "I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down, but I know my soul is heavenly bound," represents the duality of life, and the trials that one goes through. Despite the hardships, the singer knows that their soul will be saved in the afterlife, which gives them hope and a sense of peace. The final verse, "if you get there before I do, tell all my friends I'm coming, too" represents the connection and community that existed among the enslaved Africans, who used the song to express their hope and shared desire for freedom.