Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Red And Frank Wakefield Lyrics

The song "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" by Red and Frank Wakefield is a traditional African American spiritual that speaks about hope, journey, and salvation. The first stanza expresses the desire for the chariot to come and take the singer home. The image of the chariot is taken from the biblical story of the prophet Elijah who was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. The chariot symbolizes a safe and heavenly journey to the afterlife.

The second stanza builds on this metaphor, where the singer looks over Jordan, the river that separates Israel and Jordan, and sees a band of angels coming to carry him home. The angels are seen as divine messengers that are sent to aid the departed soul in their journey towards heaven. The third stanza speaks about the message the singer wants to convey to their friends, that they too would eventually come home.

The last stanza expresses the singer's inner turmoil characterized by their inconsistent moods but assures the listeners that their soul is still heaven-bound and that they will eventually reach their final destination.

In conclusion, the song "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is a spiritual song that gave hope and comfort to the African American community during the time of slavery and prejudice. The song speaks about a better life beyond the material world and gives assurance that death is not the end.