A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots re… Read Full Bio ↴A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots reggae and dub to lovers rock and pop. It is the second most commercial successful reggae band with +70 million sold albums. Many of their hits have been stylishly covers of early reggae and rocksteady hits from Jamaica. After success in UK, UB40's won USA with Labour of Love (1983), their first album of covers. UB40 was 1986 the first Western band to play behind the Iron Curtain, live in Moscow, Soviet Union. UB40 is known for hits as 'Food For Thought', (1980) 'Red Red Wine' (1983), 'Please Don't Make Me Cry' (1983), 'I Got You Babe' (1985) with frontman Ali Campbell in duet with Chrissie Hynde just like in 'Breakfast in Bed' (1988). Their most successful worldwide single release is their reggae/pop version of 'I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You' (1993).

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 [Ft. The United Colo
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry he home x 2

I looked over Jordan and what did 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

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, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Overall Meaning

The song "Swing Low" is a spiritual hymn that has been adopted as an anthem for rugby fans in England. The lyrics speak about a person who is eagerly waiting for the chariot to come and take them home. The use of the metaphor of a chariot representing death and the journey to the afterlife is quite common in spiritual songs. The singer in the song says they are waiting for the chariot to come and take them home. The repetition of the phrase "Swing low, sweet chariot" emphasizes the eagerness of the singer to be taken home.

In the second verse, the singer sings about seeing a band of angels coming after them while looking over Jordan. This is a reference to the River Jordan, which is a significant location in Christianity, where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The singer is implying that they have one foot in the afterlife and is waiting for the angels to come and carry them home.

The last verse talks about the singer's friends and urges them to tell them that they are coming too, suggesting that they know that they are close to death. The overall message of the song is that of hope and the belief in an afterlife. The use of a chariot and the depiction of angels denotes a more religious tone to the song, which is often seen in spirituals.

Line by Line Meaning

Swing low, sweet chariot
I hope to see a majestic carriage descend from the heavens, with a gentle swing and accompanied by a soothing sound

Coming for to carry me home
It is time for me to return to my true home, and the chariot will take me there in a calm and peaceful manner

I looked over Jordan and what did I see
As I surveyed my surroundings, I saw a glimpse of a wondrous sight that took me by surprise

A band of angels coming after me
A joyous group of divine beings were headed in my direction, presumably to welcome me on my journey

If you get there before I do
In the event that you reach the destination before I do

Tell all my friends I'm coming too
Please inform my loved ones that I am on my way and will soon be reunited with them

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
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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