When the Saints Go Marching In facts for kids
When the Saints Go Marching In, often called just The Saints, is a very famous song. It started as a spiritual, which is a type of religious song from African American communities. Even though it began as a Christian hymn (a song of praise), it is now often played by jazz bands. A very famous version was recorded by the legendary musician Louis Armstrong and his band on May 13, 1938.
Sometimes, people confuse this song with another one from 1896 called "When the Saints Are Marching In." That song has lyrics by Katharine Purvis and music by James Milton Black.
Contents
The Story of "The Saints"
The exact beginning of "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a bit of a mystery! It seems to have grown and changed over time in the early 1900s. It might have come from other similar gospel songs, like "When the Saints Are Marching In" (from 1896) and "When the Saints March In for Crowning" (from 1908).
The first time this song was ever recorded was in 1923. The Paramount Jubilee Singers recorded it, and it was released on Paramount Records. Even though the record label said "When All the Saints Come Marching In," the singers actually sang the words we know today: "When the saints go marching in." We don't know who wrote the song because no author was listed on the record.
Many other gospel groups recorded the song in the 1920s. They used slightly different titles but sang the same lyrics. Some of these groups included The Four Harmony Kings (1924), Elkins-Payne Jubilee Singers (1924), and the Wheat Street Female Quartet (1925).
At first, the song was slow and serious. But as years passed, it became more upbeat and rhythmic. A very fast version was recorded in 1931 by the Sanctified Singers.
Even though the song came from folk traditions, some composers later claimed they owned the copyright. These included Luther G. Presley and Virgil Oliver Stamps. The song is especially connected to the city of New Orleans. It's now a well-known jazz standard, meaning many jazz and pop artists have recorded it.
Understanding the Lyrics
Because "When the Saints Go Marching In" is an old folk song, there isn't just one "official" way to sing it or one set of lyrics. People even get confused about its name, sometimes calling it "When the Saints Come Marching In." The lyrics are simple, which makes it easy for people to create new verses.
The first two lines of each verse are the same, and the third and fourth lines are usually the same throughout the song. This means if you can think of one good line, you can create a whole new verse!
It's impossible to list every single version of the song, but here is a common way it is sung:
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the drums begin to bang
Oh, when the drums begin to bang
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the stars fall from the sky
Oh, when the stars fall from the sky
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the moon turns red with blood
Oh, when the moon turns red with blood
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the horsemen begin to ride
Oh, when the horsemen begin to ride
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, brother Charles you are my friend
Oh, brother Charles you are my friend
Yea, you gonna be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Sometimes, the words "Oh Lord" or "Oh how" are sung at the start of the third line. This helps singers know when to come in with the simple tune.
The way the song is arranged can change a lot. The simplest way is just to repeat the main part over and over. Sometimes, verses are sung, and then the main part (chorus) is sung. It's also very common for audiences to sing along.
You might also hear versions that use "call and response" singing. This is where one person or group sings a line (the "call"), and then another person or group sings a reply (the "response"). For example:
- Call: Oh when the Saints
- Response: Oh when the Saints!
Different Ways to Hear the Song
"When the Saints Go Marching In" has been recorded and performed in many different styles over the years.
As a Gospel Hymn
- The Paramount Jubilee Singers made the first known recording in November 1923.
- Other early gospel recordings include those by the Four Harmony Kings (1924) and the Elkins-Payne Jubilee Singers (1924).
- The blues musician Sleepy John Estes recorded a version in 1941.
- You can find this song on Elvis Presley's gospel album, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings.
With Traditional Lyrics
- Louis Armstrong helped make "The Saints" a jazz classic with his 1938 recording.
- Fats Domino, a rock and roll pioneer from New Orleans, often played "The Saints" as his grand finale. Sometimes, his horn players would even march through the audience!
- Judy Garland sang it in her own pop style.
- Elvis Presley performed the song during the famous Million Dollar Quartet jam session. He also sang it in his 1966 movie, Frankie and Johnny.
- Bing Crosby included the song in a mix on his album 101 Gang Songs (1961).
- Other early rock artists like Jerry Lee Lewis also played it.
- Etta James performed the song at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
With Non-Traditional Lyrics
Sometimes, people change the words of the song for fun or for a special reason.
- Louis Armstrong and Danny Kaye sang a funny version in the 1959 movie The Five Pennies. They named famous musicians who would play "on the day that the saints go marching in."
- Woody Guthrie sang a version called "When The Yanks Go Marching In" in 1943.
- Tony Sheridan recorded a rock and roll version in 1961 with the then-unknown band The Beatles as his backing group. They changed some of the original lyrics.
- In 1983, Aaron Neville and other New Orleans musicians recorded a popular version that included the "Who Dat?" chant of the New Orleans Saints American football team.
- "When the Saints Go Marching In" is often sung by fans at association football (soccer) matches. They replace "saints" with their team's name or nickname. For example, fans of Liverpool FC sing "When the Reds Go Marching In." Fans of Tottenham Hotspur sing "When the Spurs Go Marching In."
Instrumental Versions
Many artists have also recorded the song without any singing, just with instruments.
- Bunk Johnson's Band recorded an instrumental version in 1944.
- Al Hirt released a version on his 1963 album, Our Man in New Orleans.
- Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry released an instrumental version on their 1964 album, Two Great Guitars.
- The rhythm of "When the Saints Go Marching In" was used for the theme music of the TV show The Law and Mr. Jones from 1960 to 1962.
- The song is also used as a quick march for some military groups, like the 5th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment.
See also
In Spanish: When the Saints Go Marching In para niños
