Swing Low
The Dustbowl Revival Lyrics
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Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
When I went to the doctor,
the docter he said,
Comin' for to carry me home
He got a big old rock
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, went to the hospital
Under the night
Comin' for the carry me home
Well, the nurse cried out,
We done lost this young boy's life
Comin' for to carry me home
Mama, sing
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
When I got up to Heaven
I mean the, the pearly gate
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, Saint Peter up above me
said son ya gotta learn how to wait
Comin' for to carry me home
When I woke up the next mornin'
Hear the sweet little sound
Comin' for to carry me home
Well, I woke up the next mornin'
I was six feet underground
Comin' for to carry me home
And I could hear the preacher
singin' in his futile tone
Comin' for to carry me home
And I screamed out to the Lord,
Don't let me die here all alone
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Yeah...
Now it's comin' for to carry me home
Yes, it was
Comin' for to carry me home
Yes...
Comin' for to carry me home
The lyrics to The Dustbowl Revival’s “Swing Low” are a modern take on the traditional African American spiritual song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The lyrics speak to the idea of death and the afterlife, with the “chariot” symbolizing a way to carry the soul to heaven. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the repeated refrain of “Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home.” The second verse talks of going to the doctor and experiencing the pain of sickness, with the metaphor of a “big old rock” rolling around in the head to represent the pain. The third verse speaks to the idea of dying and going to heaven, but being told by St. Peter that one must “learn how to wait.” Finally, the last verse talks of waking up underground and crying out to the Lord to not be left alone.
The song is a reflection on death and the afterlife, as many spiritual songs are. However, The Dustbowl Revival’s version takes on a more modern perspective with updated lyrics that incorporate themes of sickness, hospitals, and the fear of being left alone in death. Despite the bleak subject matter, there is a sense of hope and faith in the idea of a chariot coming to carry the soul to heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, sweet chariot
I need your help to bring me to where I belong
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
Swing low, sweet chariot
I need your help to bring me to where I belong
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
When I went to the doctor,
I sought professional help for my mental struggles
the docter he said,
The doctor diagnosed me with a heavy burden that I carry around
Comin' for to carry me home
My ultimate destination is still the same despite my diagnosis
He got a big old rock
Alone, I can't shake off my mental burden
He rolls around in your head
My burden consumes me and affects my mental health
Comin' for to carry me home
Even though I cannot handle it, I'm still moving towards my ultimate destination
Well, went to the hospital
I tried to find help and support in a different place
Under the night
But the situation did not get any better
Comin' for the carry me home
I'm still moving forward even though things are not okay
Well, the nurse cried out,
I'm so far gone that others around me are losing hope
We done lost this young boy's life
I'm losing my life and losing hope as well
Comin' for to carry me home
Despite everything, I still believe in a better future after this life
Mama, sing
I'm reaching out to my loved ones for comfort and support
When I got up to Heaven
Finally, I have arrived at my ultimate destination
I mean the, the pearly gate
I am at the gates of heaven surrounded by purity
Well, Saint Peter up above me
I am being judged by higher power
said son ya gotta learn how to wait
I'm not there yet, I still have something that needs to be done in the physical world
When I woke up the next mornin'
I have survived a catastrophic event
Hear the sweet little sound
I am hearing the beauty of the world after surviving that event
Well, I woke up the next mornin'
I am alive despite all the odds
I was six feet underground
I am grateful to be alive despite the previous events
Comin' for to carry me home
Despite everything, I still believe in a better future after this life
And I could hear the preacher
I am able to find hope from the words of the preacher
singin' in his futile tone
The rhetoric seemed like a calculated attempt to bring me back to normalcy
And I screamed out to the Lord,
I am unsure of how to deal with the struggles I have faced
Don't let me die here all alone
I fear the weight of these burdens will consume me to death
Swing low, sweet chariot
I need your help to bring me to where I belong
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot
I'm still hoping for your help to take me to where I belong
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
Now it's comin' for to carry me home
I'm finally ready to leave this life behind
Yes, it was
This journey was long and unforgiving
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
Yes...
It's finally time to go
Comin' for to carry me home
I'm ready to leave this world and move on to the next one
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cynthialogue2302
My kind of music, thanks for sharing ❤️
@RedTV8888
This is great. I dig it deeply.
@meaghangrant1575
What instruments were used in this!?!