Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
When the Saints Go Marching in
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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Of those who've gone before,
And we'll all be reunited,
On a new and sunlit shore,
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord how I want to be in that number
And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun begins to shine
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the sun begins to shine
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the trumpet sounds its call
Some say this world of trouble,
Is the only one we need,
But I'm waiting for that morning,
When the new world is revealed.
In Roger McGuinn's song When the Saints Go Marching In, he speaks about traveling in the footsteps of those who have gone before, with the hope of being reunited with them on a new and sunlit shore. He longs to be part of the number of saints who will be marching in when the trumpet sounds its call. McGuinn suggests that this world of trouble might not be the only one we need, as he waits for the morning when the new world is revealed.
The song's message appears to be one of hope and optimism amidst the trials and difficulties encountered in the present world. The lyrics present an ideal picture of a new world that is bright, joyful, and free from trouble, a place where people will be reunited with loved ones who have gone ahead of them. McGuinn's use of the trumpet, a musical instrument often associated with heraldry, adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement conveyed by the song's message.
In conclusion, McGuinn's When the Saints Go Marching In is a song filled with hope and the longing for a better future. The lyrics express an optimistic view of a new world that is free from pain and suffering, and where people will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before them. The use of the trumpet as a heraldic instrument adds to the song's sense of anticipation and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
We are trav'ling in the footsteps
We are following the path set by those who came before us
Of those who've gone before,
The people who have come before us on this path
And we'll all be reunited,
We will all be together again
On a new and sunlit shore,
In a new, bright place
Oh, when the saints go marching in
When the virtuous join together
Oh, when the saints go marching in
When the virtuous join together
Lord how I want to be in that number
I am yearning to be a part of them
When the saints go marching in
When the virtuous join together
And when the sun begins to shine
When a bright new day breaks
And when the sun begins to shine
When a bright new day breaks
Lord, how I want to be in that number
I am yearning to be a part of them
When the sun begins to shine
When a bright new day breaks
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
When the end is near
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
When the end is near
Lord, how I want to be in that number
I am yearning to be a part of them
When the trumpet sounds its call
When the end is near
Some say this world of trouble,
Some believe that this hard world is all there is
Is the only one we need,
The only place we truly belong
But I'm waiting for that morning,
But I am anticipating that wonderful day
When the new world is revealed.
When the new day breaks
Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.