Barbour was born in Long Island, New York started off as a banjoist with Adrian Rollini in 1933 and then Wingy Manone in 1934. He switched to guitar in the middle of the decade and played with Red Norvo in 1935-1936. He found much work as a studio musician and played in ensembles with Teddy Wilson and Billie Holiday (1937), Artie Shaw (1939), Lennie Hayton, Charlie Barnet (1945), Raymond Scott, Glenn Miller, Lou Holden, and Woody Herman (1949). He also recorded with Andre Previn in 1945.
He played with Benny Goodman in 1942, and while a member of Goodman's ensemble, he fell in love with lead singer Peggy Lee. March 1943 Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour married. Peggy Lee said, "David joined Benny's band and there was a ruling that no one should fraternize with the girl singer. But I fell in love with David the first time I heard him play, and so I married him. Benny then fired David, so I quit, too. Benny and I made up, although David didn't play with him anymore. Benny stuck to his rule. I think that's not too bad a rule, but you can't help falling in love with somebody."
When Lee and Barbour left the band, the idea was that he would work in the studios and she would keep house and raise their daughter, Nicki. But she drifted back to songwriting and occasional recording sessions for the fledgling Capitol Records in 1947, for whom she produced a long string of hits, many of them with lyrics and music by Lee and Barbour, including "I Don't Know Enough About You" (1946) and "It's a Good Day" (1947). With the release of the US No. 1-selling record of 1948, "Mañana", her "retirement" was over. Barbour was an alcoholic and had domestic troubles with Lee; this eventually split apart their marriage, which ended in 1952. Dave Barbour and His Orchestra had the best-selling version (USA) of the peppy song "Mambo Jambo."
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour And His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me
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
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
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
And now they're comin' for to carry me home
The lyrics to Peggy Lee's song Swing Low Sweet Chariot are based on the old spiritual hymn by the same name. The song is deeply rooted in African-American history and culture, and it speaks to the hope and faith of enslaved people in the American South. The song is often interpreted as a metaphor for the journey from suffering on earth to salvation in heaven.
The first verse begins with the singer looking over Jordan, which symbolizes death or the afterlife. They see a band of angels coming to carry them home, which again refers to the idea of being lifted from the troubles of this world into the next. The refrain, "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home," emphasizes the idea of being carried away by a heavenly vehicle.
The second verse emphasizes the ups and downs of life, but the singer still has faith that their soul is bound for heaven. The last verse is a message to friends, letting them know that the singer will soon be joining them in heaven.
Overall, Swing Low Sweet Chariot is a powerful spiritual hymn that speaks to the struggles and resilience of African-American people in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
I gazed beyond the horizon of Jordan and witnessed a divine sight.
Comin' for to carry me home
It was clear angels were descending to transport me to heaven.
There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me
A group of benevolent celestial beings were fast approaching to collect me.
Swing low, sweet chariot
The angels' vehicle, a chariot, was descending towards me with a soothing motion.
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
I face both high and low moments in life.
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
I am confident that my soul will eventually ascend to the divine realm.
If you get there before I do
In case you arrive at the destination before me.
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Please inform my acquaintances that I will follow suit and join them soon.
And now they're comin' for to carry me home
Finally, the angels have arrived, and it's time for me to be transported to the afterlife.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, FRANCESCO MOCCHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sebasj1978
Peggy Lee, The Queen... The greatest among the greats...
PAUL PETERSON
I just saw on Netflix, that THE BEST OF THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW is now available. I wonder this includes the Peggy Lee performances? It better!!!
foxyroxstar
Take! The Frontline As Her Majesty ..A Queen Supreme!
Jamie Anybody
Are you sure that's Peggy Lee? It could be the quality, but that certainly doesn't look like her! Good song though
Jamie Anybody
@Paul Peterson Okay, okay, good grief yourself! I wasn't sure but I guess you're right!
Paul Peterson
OF COURSE that's Peggy Lee. Good grief!!!!