Sweet And Low
The Americans Lyrics

The Americans’ song “Sweet and Low” is a tribute to the traditional African American spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The lyrics begin with the singer looking over Jordan, symbolizing the River Jordan from the Bible, and seeing a band of angels coming to carry him home. This represents the idea that after death, a person is carried by angels to heaven. The repetition of “comin’ for to carry me home” highlights the belief in an afterlife and the idea of being delivered from a difficult life to a better one.

As the song continues, the singer acknowledges that life has its ups and downs, but ultimately believes that their soul is “heavenly bound” and will be carried home. By using the metaphor of a chariot, the singer suggests that this journey is not only a physical one, but a spiritual one as well. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is ready to join those who have already passed; it’s time for them to be carried home.

Overall, “Sweet and Low” is a beautiful homage to the spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which was composed by Wallis Willis in the mid-19th century. The song has a rich history and has been performed by many well-known musicians, including Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.