The band is one of the most culturally diverse dub Ska bands with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The band is named from the paper form issued by the UK government's Department of Health and Social Security at the time of the band's formation for claiming unemployment benefit (UB40 = Unemployment Benefit, Form 40).
UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in the multiracial Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as King, Madam Medusa, Food for Thought, Signing Off and One in Ten.
Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.
Ali and Robin Campbell have a musical heritage, being sons of Ian Campbell, a folk musician.
The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. They have had a number of hits, most commercially and to amusement of the band, "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version). Their most successful single release is the cover of the Elvis Presley ballad Can't Help Falling In Love which was intended to be the main title to the 1992 Sharon Stone movie Sliver and was a Number One hit across Europe and in the U.S.
Many of UB40's recordings were inspired by 1960s ska and early lovers rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. Their new injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians' and producers' renewed popularity and income.
UB40's early music often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment.
Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw and Afrika Bambaataa.
Swing Low
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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...
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a traditional African American spiritual song that became popular among the slaves in the southern United States during the 19th century. The song is based on the Old Testament story of Elijah being carried to heaven in a chariot. The song speaks of a chariot coming to carry the singer home, referencing the final journey to heaven.
UB40's version of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a reggae-inspired rendition of the classic gospel song. The song starts with the repeated line "Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home" which serves as a calling to the chariot of the Lord to take the singer home. The lines "I looked over Jordan and what do I see? A band of angels coming after me" refers to a vision of the singer seeing a group of angels waiting to carry him to his eternal home.
The last verse of the song "If you get there before I do, tell all my friends I'm coming too" is a message about the hope of reuniting with loved ones in heaven. The song is therefore a hopeful reminder of the final destination for believers and the hope of being reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, sweet chariot
The singer appeals for a divine chariot to carry them home.
Coming for to carry me home
The singer is putting their trust in a divine chariot to transport them to their final resting place.
I looked over Jordan and what do I see?
The singer observes the landscape and is searching for the divine chariot to take them home.
A band of angels coming after me
The singer sees a group of angels who will escort them to the divine chariot.
If you get there before I do
The singer hopes that someone will make it to heaven before them to spread the news of their arrival.
Tell all my friends I'm coming, too
The singer wants their loved ones to know that they will also be joining them in heaven.
Carry me, carry me, carry me
The singer repeats the request for the divine chariot to carry them to their final resting place.
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
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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