Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. What the Dickens & Jones are they singing about?

Question

I'm beginning to see the light.....

But why 'Swing Low'?.........Low? For that matter, why even swing? I get the chariot bit now, but.........

Aaah...you're good...very good. I'm actually learning something here. Keep it coming..

Not you, Duggie dugg, now you've lowered the tone. Hurrumph.....

Answer 1

I've always been led to believe it is a Spiritual sung by slaves in America.
Musical evidence for this is the use of the pentatonic scale and use of melismas in singing.
Lyrically 'Chariots' was the term used for railway carriages and many slaves used to jump on board these as they passed by (sadly many of them becoming injured sometimes fatally in the process) so it was used as a plead for freedom in the same way as other famous spirituals such as 'Wade in the Water' - escaping by underground rivers, was sung to guide slaves to a safe passageway.

Answer 2

Its a coded song for the escape route from slave states to free states.

the River 'Jordan' was the river barrier between the two, and other references pointed to a building (a hospital I think) where slaves would congregate before being carried 'home' to freedom across the river.
The building is still standing.
This route was known as the 'Underground railroad'

'Many accounts also mention spirituals and other songs that contained coded information intended to help navigate the railroad. Songs such as "Steal Away" and other field songs were often passed down purely orally. Tracing their origins and meanings is difficult. In any case, many African-American songs of the period deal with themes of freedom and escape, and distinguishing coded information from expression and sentiment may not be possible.'

The overseers had no idea what they where singing about which is quite funny.

Answer 3

Before horses (and even after horses) slaves were used to carry around their masters on 'chariots'. They 'swung' them low because they were 'low riders'...lol That's why when you see a guy driving a low rider nowadays, he'll be all kicked back like he's being pulled on his chariot by slaves...lol
Okay seriously, that is a great question. All I really know in my 41 years (lol) is that this song seems to be equivalant to use of the 'N' word. It's an old slave song that's considered racist now. That's my take on it anyway just from movies I've seen. I could be very wrong and the song may have a truer meaning to some. :-)

Answer 4

This song contained hidden directions to slave escaping from America's deep south as did many spirituals from those times. Slaves would sing these under the noses of their overse'ers teaching each other which way to travel if the chance for freedom presented itself.
Many of the codes referred to positions of the stars as they moved higher or lower in the night sky.

Answer 5

Dickens: a chariot came to take Elijah to Heaven.
Jones: The poor blokes want to be rescued from their living hells and taken to paradise by their Creator! For Heaven's sakes.

Answer 6

Elijah was taken away on a chariot to Heaven without even dying. I guess when you're going through a rough time in your life and you want to have one of those "take me away" moments, then this song is for you.

Answer 7

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret passages by which African slaves in the 19th century United States attempted to escape to free states,

Answer 8

Iam not 100 per cent sure on this one its a very old song before my time, but as the lyrics go ,
i looked over jordon and what did i see , a band of angels coming after me , coming for to carry me home,
i guess it refers to taking you to the lord and putting you to rest
in the after life

Answer 9

It's about a horse and carriage to carry you home to heaven Right??

It also had something to do with the rugby game in england, I guess that's where the swing low comes in.

Answer 10

Enoch and Ezekiel spoke of angels riding in chariots... the 'coming for to carry me home'... the end of days... et al.