Lyrics
Chorus
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Verse 1
Well I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Comin' for to carry me home
There's a band of angels comin' after me
Comin' for to carry me home
Chorus (x2)
So swing low, sweet chariot
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
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Bridge (x2)
Swing down chariot
Stop and let me ride
Swing down chariot
Stop and let me ride
Rock me lord, rock me lord
Calm and easy
I've got a home on the other side
Chorus (x2)
Swing low, sweet chariot
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
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home
Outro
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home, home
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a traditional spiritual, and this version by Reba McEntire joins it with a second refrain, "Swing down chariot, stop and let me ride". The words are simple and repeated, which suits a song that has long been sung in groups.
The verse looks across the Jordan and sees "a band of angels comin' after me". Jordan stands for the crossing from this life to the next, and the chariot is the means of being carried "home". The imagery recalls the chariot of fire in the account of Elijah.
The added section asks the Lord to "rock me" "calm and easy" and closes with the assurance "I've got a home on the other side". Taken together, the lyrics express longing for heaven and a quiet confidence about death, in the manner of other African American spirituals. The country setting changes the sound but leaves the message unchanged.
Related Scripture
- 2 Kings 2:11 Elijah is taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire, the source of the chariot imagery.
- John 14:2-3 Jesus speaks of preparing a place and receiving His followers, close to the hope of a home on the other side.