They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.
With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.
Swing Low
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jah Jah chariot
Jah Jah chariot
Jah Jah chariot
Free as love can be
That's how free our love should be
We work our hearts for them day and nightBut nothing ever seems to please them right
And every time you turn around
Somebody's trying to put you down
And every time you call a play
Some clown's getting in your way
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
All right, coming for to carry me home
Oh yeah, it's coming for to carry me home
Sometimes I wish that I
Could fly like a bird in the sky
Rise up above humanity
And mold us all in one with unity
'Cause every time you try to make a stride
Somebody want to check your life
Every time you try to go ahead
Somebody wish you'd step aside instead
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariotSwing low, Jah Jah chariot
Oh oh, comin' for to carry me home
Yeah yeah, comin' for to carry me home
Check out the queen and the pawn
Oh, it's comin' for to carry me home
Swing swing swing swing swing swing low Jah
Jah
A comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low... no more longer shall I roam
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Come Jah Jah children
Comin' for to carry me home
Get the queen and the pawn
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing swing swing swing swing swing low Jah Jah
Swing your chariot to carry me home
Swing low...
Swing low...
Swing low...
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
The lyrics to Third World's song "Swing Low" express a common theme of feeling burdened and oppressed by societal pressures while longing for freedom and unity. The repeated refrain of "Jah Jah chariot" implies a spiritual element, with Jah Jah being a reference to God in Rastafarianism, and the chariot being a symbol of liberation and salvation. The lyrics suggest that love should be free, without the restrictions and expectations placed upon it by society. The verses speak to the struggles of trying to succeed in life while facing constant obstacles and criticism from others. The desire to fly away and rise above it all is a common theme in African American spirituals, and the lyrics suggest that unity and coming together can help overcome individual struggles.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was featured in the soundtrack to the popular video game "Grand Theft Auto V." Another is that the title and refrain of "Swing Low" are derived from the African American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which has been recorded by numerous artists over the years. The song was originally an anthem of hope and liberation for slaves in the United States, and has since become a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and freedom. Third World's version of the song adds a distinct Caribbean flavor, incorporating reggae rhythms and Rastafarian spiritual beliefs.
Another interesting fact is that Third World formed in Jamaica in 1973, and is one of the longest-running reggae bands in history. They have released numerous albums and toured the world many times over the decades, promoting their message of peace, love, and unity through music. The band has also collaborated with many other artists from various musical genres, including Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Shaggy.
The chords for "Swing Low" are not widely available, as the song features a primarily rhythmic and percussive sound with minimal guitar or keyboard accompaniment. However, the song's use of the G major scale and a syncopated rhythm in the verses suggests that it is based on a traditional reggae chord progression. The catchy refrain of "Jah Jah chariot" is likely to be an earworm for anyone who listens to the song, with its repetitive beat and uplifting message of hope and salvation.
Overall, "Swing Low" is a powerful song that conveys a range of emotions and ideas. Its origins in African American spirituals and incorporation of Jamaican reggae influences highlight the cross-cultural connections and shared struggles of people around the world. The lyrics' call for unity and freedom continue to resonate with audiences today, making "Swing Low" a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, Jah Jah chariot
We call upon Jah Jah's chariot to take us away from the cycle of oppression and bring us freedom.
Jah Jah chariot
We repeatedly call upon Jah Jah's chariot, which symbolizes our desire for liberation and escape from the struggles we face in our daily life.
Free as love can be
Our love should be without limits or boundaries, just like the freedom we seek.
That's how free our love should be
Our love should be boundless and unrestricted, mirroring the freedom we yearn for in our lives.
We work our hearts for them day and night
We put in endless effort to please those around us and gain their approval, even if it means sacrificing our own needs and desires.
But nothing ever seems to please them right
Despite our efforts, we are never enough for those who seek to control us and keep us oppressed.
And every time you turn around, somebody's trying to put you down
We are surrounded by people who constantly bring us down and hinder our progress towards freedom and independence.
Somebody's trying to put you down
We are met with opposition at every turn, as those in power seek to keep us subservient and oppressed.
And every time you call a play, some clown's getting in your way
Even when we try to make a change and take control of our lives, we are met with resistance and obstacles that prevent us from breaking free.
All right, coming for to carry me home
We hope and pray for a way out of our struggles and for a force to come and carry us away to freedom.
Oh yeah, it's coming for to carry me home
We maintain optimism that our path to liberation is near and that Jah Jah's chariot will soon come to take us away.
Sometimes I wish that I could fly like a bird in the sky
We long for the freedom and mobility of a bird, which can escape the struggles and limitations of life on the ground.
Rise up above humanity and mold us all in one with unity
We imagine a world in which we can transcend our differences and become united in our common struggle for freedom and equality.
Somebody want to check your life
Even when we try to break free from oppression, there are always those seeking to control us and hold us back.
Somebody wish you'd step aside instead
We are met with resistance from those who want to maintain the status quo and who don't want things to change.
Check out the queen and the pawn
We use the metaphor of a chessboard to represent the power dynamics in our struggle for liberation, as we try to move from being pawns to becoming queens.
Come Jah Jah children, comin' for to carry me home
We call upon our fellow believers to come together and work towards our shared goal of freedom from oppression.
Swing swing swing swing swing swing low Jah Jah
We repeat the refrain to summon Jah Jah's chariot and bring us closer to our goal of liberation.
Swing your chariot to carry me home
We implore Jah Jah's chariot to come and take us away, finally freeing us from the struggles and oppression we face in our daily lives.
Swing low...
We repeat the refrain as a desperate plea for liberation and freedom from the forces that seek to oppress us.
Swing low...
We continue to call upon Jah Jah's chariot and hope that it will bring us the salvation and freedom we so desperately seek.
Swing low...
We persist in our cry for freedom, calling upon Jah Jah to hear our plea and carry us away from the cycle of oppression.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN HALDANE COORE, WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doyinoluwole9652
An undervalued masterpiece!
@wisedennis8102
Reggea brings back love
@robertoviarengo4046
One of the greats groups of all the times....
@mswanjiruwakaba3778
Tune🔥🔥🔥🇰🇪
@lukaho87
Niliskia kwa mat nanyuki to nyahururu
@PatrickMusonda-f8s
Still this song remain my number One
@lucasmwaurafama9349
what a tune
@lawrencenjawe9875
I had this on Cassette (All the Way Strong 1983) back in 84. My favorite track on this release along with "Love is out to get you' and "Seasons When".
@briandanielgoth1718
so did I.
@nataliewilliams6048
Love “Seasons When” the great Carrot Jarrett!💯❤️👑