Swing Low
UB40 & The United Colours Of Sound Lyrics
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Comin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
And now they're comin' for to carry me home
The lyrics of UB40 & The United Colours Of Sound's song Swing Low are a reference to an old spiritual hymn, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which has roots in the days of slavery in the United States. The first verse expresses the idea that the singer has been looking out over the horizon and has seen a group of angels coming to take him or her home. The imagery of angels coming down to take someone to heaven is a common theme in many Christian hymns, and it often represents the idea of being at peace and finding freedom from the suffering of this world. The second verse suggests that the singer is sometimes happy and sometimes sad, but that they know their "soul is heavenly bound," meaning that they are confident that they will be carried to heaven when they die.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked over Jordan and what did I see?
I surveyed my surroundings and saw something noteworthy.
Comin' for to carry me home
An entity is approaching to transport me to another place.
There was a band of angels, a-comin' after me
I observed a group of celestial beings pursuing me.
Swing low, sweet chariot
The vehicle of transportation is descending toward me.
I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
My moods fluctuate between positive and negative.
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Despite my emotional state, I have confidence that my essence will reach the Divine realm after death.
If you get there before I do
In the event that you arrive at the destination ahead of me.
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Inform my acquaintances that I will be joining them shortly.
And now they're comin' for to carry me home
The aforementioned entity has reached me and is now taking me to my destination.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional
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