- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
Also known as "When the Saints Come Marching In". or referred to as simply "The Saints", is a traditional black spiritual. It is a popular song at funerals. It has also become a jazz standard. The lyrics speak of the Day of Judgement and the singer hopes that on that day he will be allowed to enter heaven among the saints.
Another theory, now widely discredited, holds that “The Saints” came from the Bahamas.
Some have linked it to a song published by James M Black and Katharine E Purvis in 1896 called “When the Saints Are Marching In”, though a melodic and lyrical comparison renders this unlikely. - Licensing
- Request a synchronization license