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Swing Down Sweet Chariot |
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Written by: Traditional, arranged and adapted by Elvis Presley Recorded: First Version: October 31, 1960, RCA Studio B, Nashville Released master is take 4. Second Version: October 23, 1968, United Recorders, Hollywood Released master is take 10. Single: w/ "Milky White Way", Gold Standard Series original release, 447-0652, February 15, 1966. Highest U.S. Charts Positions: Didn't chart 1st LP release: His Hand In Mine - December 1960 |
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Not to be confused with the earlier spiritual ballad "Swing LOW Sweet Chariot", this one is mid-tempo and has updated lyrics and arrangement. Elvis had met the Golden Gate Quartet while on leave from the army in Paris. They jammed a little backstage after one of their performances, and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" was undoubtedly one of theirs that Elvis particularly liked. His recording a year later was one of the highlights of his first full-length gospel album, His Hand In Mine. As with all the tunes from that album, Elvis and the Jordanaires give it the classic southern gospel quartet sound. Elvis also performed this one at his live appearance in Hawaii in March of 1961. It was a bit of a surprising choice to add to his live set. In 1968, Elvis revisited the song in the studio for the soundtrack of The Trouble With Girls. This newer version is a bit faster, and The Mello Men provide the backup vocals. I like both studio recordings equally. Elvis always shone with a gospel tune, especially an infectious upbeat song like this one. |
Other Spins(What did the critics and fans say?)The arrangement of "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" is in fast, close-harmony style. Presley threads through the intricate vocal tapestry effectively here. Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music, 1979 A rocking gospel - powerful, fast, soulful - one of the very best. Martin Torgoff  , The Complete Elvis, 1982 Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Swing Down Sweet Chariot Check out other opinions at Rate Your Music "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" Links
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[Chorus:] Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride Swing down chariot, stop and let me ride Rock me lord, rock me lord, calm and easy Well I’ve got a home on the other side [Repeat Chorus] Well, well, well, well, well, well Ezekial went down in the middle of a field He saw an angel workin' on a chariot wheel Wasn't so particular 'bout the chariot wheel Just wanted to see how a chariot feel [Repeat Chorus] Well, well, well Ezekial went down and he got on board Chariot went a bumpin' on down the road Zeke wasn't so particular 'bout the bumpin' of the road Just wanted to lay down his heavy load [Repeat Chorus] Well I got a father in the promised land Ain't gonna stop until I shake his hand Rock me lord, rock me lord Calm and easy I've got a home on the other side [Repeat Chorus] |
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