The spirited song “When the Saints Go Marching In,” sometimes known as, “O When the Saints,” has been recorded by many musical luminaries, including Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, the Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Judy Garland, and Elvis Presley. In 2006, the the Songwriters Hall of Fame recognized this tune as a Towering Song.
Musicologists believe “When the Saints Go Marching In” is a traditional folk song that developed in the early 1800s.
The first written version of a similar song, “When the Saints Are Marching In,” appeared in 1896. That song has a tune composed by James M. Black and lyrics written by Katherine E. Purvis and was published by Curtis & Jennings in Cincinnati, Ohio. The lyrics in the chorus descibe “Joyful songs of salvation thru’ the sky shall ring.”
The current, well-known version of the song was published in 1925 when Theo Harris included the song under the title “March In” in the hymnal Songs of His Coming. The current version of the song was listed in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2021
The song gained tremendous popularity when Louis Armstrong and his orchestra made it a jazz standard in a 1938 Delta recording. Comments on the site of this YouTube video of Louis Armstrong playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” reflect how the song connects to peoples ’lives.
Fats Domino played the song as one of his traditional New Orleans numbers at rock concerts in the early 1950s. He frequently used “When the Saints Go Marching In” as his grand finale, with his horn players parading through an enthusiastic rock and roll audience.
Researchers believe the song originated in the Bahamas and migrated to the mainland of the United States. It has the gospel leanings of folk songs from the 1800s, the “Negro spirituals” of early African-American culture.
“When the Saints Go Marching In” is still a favorite piece of New Orleans jazz bands, and the song is played during jazz funerals. The uplifting melody and words accompany mourners leaving a loved one’s gravesite and returning to present life. Life goes on to the song’s tune and beat, which celebrates yearning to be with the lost in heaven.
The song lyrics to “When the Saints Go Marching In” refer to Bible verses attributed to the prophet Daniel, the disciple John, the apostle Paul, and Jesus himself.
Daniel’s prophetic visions have frightening images and events happening in the last days of Earth. Daniel interprets one of his multifaceted dreams, saying, “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever” (Daniel 7:18). Daniel predicts the saints will suffer and die, yet have glorious deaths. In the tribulation—the difficult political, social, and ecological time of Earth’s final days—saints will become martyrs. Their sacrifice in this world will pave the way for them to receive honor in heaven for their valuable service to the Lord. This prediction is repeated in two books of the New Testament (James in one of his letters, post-resurrection Jesus speaking to the early church in Revelation). Both passages describe Christ’s followers receiving a Crown of Life.
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.” (Revelation 2:10)
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
The lyrics of the song “When the Saints Go Marching In” describe what will happen when the saints—believers in and followers of Christ—enter heaven. The apostle Paul discusses this in simple terms in 1 Corinthians 15:52 when he says, “The dead will be raised imperishable and we [who are not yet dead when the event takes place] will be changed” (NASB, emphasis added). The lyrics to “When the Saints Go Marching in” refer to Paul’s vision of the gathering saints in 1 Thessalonians 4:16:
“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Christian theologians have examined the idea of a “rapture”—when those with hearts for Christ will rise to God before the tribulation—since Plymouth Brethren teacher John Nelson Darby came up with the construct in the nineteenth century. Many denominations today believe there will be a rapture. A rapture fulfills God’s promise to ease the pain of death and its separation from loved ones.
Paul addresses the mystery of life after death in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52:
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Trumpets sound in Revelation 8-9. Angels blow seven different trumpets, each followed by a catastrophic, natural event that plagues unrepentant people.
There is a reference to a trumpet sounding its call in Bruce Springsteen’s version of the song, performed in 2006 and recorded in 2012.
It may be good for saints to escape the tribulation and its aftermath at a trumpet’s call. In Matthew 24:29, Jesus states that “. . . immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” The second and fourth stanzas of Bruce Springsteen’s “Saints” lyrics reference the horrific events Jesus prophesied to his disciples in Matthew 24.
The first and last stanzas of Springsteen’s rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” take this even further, looking to the day when the new world will be unveiled.
The Roman Catholic church traditionally recognizes people who have passed away on All Saints Day (November 1). Roman Catholic parishioners also sign the Book of the Dead during November to remember their loved ones now with God.
Other denominations have similar practices. In November, my Presbyterian church reads a list of members who have passed away in the previous year, and the organist rings a chime after each name is read. When trees and flowers shut down for the winter, we are reminded of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth—the rebirth of our spirit when we walk with God, with Jesus as our savior.
The song “When the Saints Go Marching In” expresses faith in a new life with Christ after death. The song’s lyrics and the melody played by hooting horns express the joy of our resurrection. It’s a song that has brought hope to countless people in its long history, people celebrating life after death in all its glory.
Further Reading:
What Is Tribulation? Bible Meaning and Significance
Who Wrote the Hymn "Take Time to be Holy"?
What Does it Mean That No One Knows the Day or Hour?
The Story Behind the Hymn 'Peace, Perfect Peace'
Who Are the Tribulation Saints In Revelation?
Who Wrote The Hymn “Lord I’m Coming Home”?
What Does the Bible Really Say about the Rapture?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Mike_Kiev