Swing Low
UB40/UB40 Lyrics


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Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan and what do I see?
Coming for to carry he home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

(Swing low, sweet chariot.)

If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I'm coming, too
Coming for to carry me home.

Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot (sweet chariot)
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

(Carry me, carry me, carry me.)

(Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.)

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot (sweet chariot)
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot




Coming for to carry me home
Swing low...

Overall Meaning

The song Swing Low by UB40 is a version of the traditional African-American spiritual 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.' The song is a call for salvation and a representation of the biblical image of Elijah's ascension to heaven in a chariot of fire. The song references the journey across the Jordan River, which in Christianity represents crossing from life to death. The first verse starts with 'Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home,' implying that a spiritual chariot is coming to save the singer from his difficult life and carry him peacefully to the afterlife or heaven.


The second verse mentions the imagery of looking over Jordan and seeing a band of angels coming to carry the singer home. The song speaks to the idea that salvation is not only for the singer but also for everyone who desires and hopes for the afterlife. In the last verse, the singer asks whoever gets there first to tell all his friends that he is coming too, signifying his hope that he is included in this salvation that is coming to take him home.


Overall, the song Swing Low by UB40 is an emotive and powerful rendition of the traditional African-American song that carries themes of hope, salvation, and a peaceful afterlife.


Line by Line Meaning

Swing low, sweet chariot
I hope for a heavenly vehicle to come and transport me away.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot will take me to my eternal resting place.


Swing low, sweet chariot
I repeat my earlier plea for divine transport to carry me away.


Coming for to carry he home x 2
The individual singing wishes for someone else to be carried away to their eternal rest.


I looked over Jordan and what did I see
As I surveyed my surroundings, I made a startling discovery.


Coming for to carry he home
The sweet chariot is also approaching this person whom I have seen.


A band of angels coming after me
A group of celestial beings, sent to escort me, are on their way.


Coming for to carry me home
The divine chariot is for me, to take me to my final abode.


Swing low, sweet chariot
Again, I implore a heavenly vehicle to transport me to my eternal resting place.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot will take me where I need to be.


Swing low, sweet chariot
Once more, I ask for divine transportation to carry me away.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot is coming for no one else but me.


If you get there before I do
In case you arrive at the destination before me.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot will be there to pick me up.


Tell all my friends I'm coming too
Please inform those who know me that I will be joining them at the end of my life.


Coming for to carry me home
The divine chariot is finalizing its preparations to take me to my eternal resting place.


Swing low, sweet chariot
I repeat my request for the divine chariot.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot is the only one I look forward to seeing.


Swing low, sweet chariot
Once more, I plea for divine chariot to come for me.


Coming for to carry me home
This sweet chariot is the only one I want to ride on that will take me to my final destination.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON, JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, CHARLES SKARBEK

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Comments from YouTube:

@muffinman7984

My dad asked me to play this at his funeral I love you dad

@DanielleCooksey

Was my moms partners funeral today and they played this as we walked in.
Such a beautiful song 💙

@ellamay1553

I played this as my dad's coffin was carried in 💔

@faxtil4695

Danielle C I hope you doing fine

@faxtil4695

Kayleigh Dry I hope you are doing fine

@DanielleCooksey

The MissClick yes I’m fine thanks for asking

30 More Replies...

@HK-ej6fy

Played this at my dads funeral 7 years ago. I miss you so much dad. What id do to have you here💔 Forever 55❤️ xxxx

@shanisingh2952

Dedicated to everyone listening in October 2020. We all have to go home sometime. Lots of love from South Africa

@annehooley6325

Sing it loud sing it proudly

@adamdavis2405

And let's get a megaphone and sing it

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