Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is an American Negro Spiritual written sometime after 1865 by Wallis Willis, a Choctow Freedman in what is today Hugo Oklahoma.
The song became popularized in the early 20th century when the Fisk Jubilee Singers from Fisk University performed the song on their national tour in 1909. The song continues to be poplular and included in many hymnals around the world.
As of 2011, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is the official Oklahoma State Gospel Song”.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Lyrics
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
(Coming for to carry me 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 of my friends, that I’m coming there 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