“When the Saints Go Marching In”

Description

"O when the saints go marching in (x2), Lord I want to be in that number, When the saints...." Similarly "When the sun refuse to shine"; "When the moon goes down in blood"; "We are traveling in the footsteps of those who've gone before"; etc.

Notes

This song was published twice in 1896, once (according to the copyright records; no copies of the music survive) as by J. M. Black and once with words credited to Katherine E. Purvis and music by Black. (We should note, however, that Eldar Hasund, who has seen the copy which survives, does not consider it the same in either text or tune).

The song is very likely older in any case, as it was collected in Nassau by the McCutcheons in 1917 (again in a form unlike modern pop versions, though recognizably the same song and with much the same tune), and may have originated in the Bahamas. - RBW

Recordings

• Fiddlin' John Carson, "When The Saints Go Marching In" (Bluebird B-5560, 1934)
• Chosen Gospel Singers, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Nashboro 567, n.d.)
• Chuck Wagon Gang, "When The Saints Go Marching In" (Columbia 20630, 1949)
• Blind Willie Davis, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Paramount 12658, 1928; Herwin 93005 [as Blind Willie Jackson], 1929; on Babylon)
• Slim Ducket & Pig Norwood, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (OKeh 8899, 1931; rec. 1930)
• Eureka Jubilee Singers, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Sharon X-507, n.d.)
• The Georgia Peach [Clara Belle Gholston] "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Banner 32654/Oriole 8191/Romeo 5191/Perfect 0221 [possibly as Clara Belle Gholston]/Melotone 12571, 1933; rec. 1932; on Babylon)
• Elder Ella Hall, Effie Fitts, Jennie Jackson & congregation "When the Saints Go Marching" (on MuSouth10)
• Eureka Band, "When the Saints Go Marching In" [instrumental version] (on MuSouth10)
• Frank & James McCravy, "When the Saints Go Marching Home" (Brunswick 196, 1928; rec. 1927) (OKeh 45435, 1930)
• Monroe Brothers, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Montgomery Ward M-7142, 1937)
• Mozelle Moore, "When the Saints Go Marching" [instrumental version] (on MuSouth10)
• John D. Mounce et al, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (on MusOzarks01)
• Pace Jubilee Singers w. Hattie Parker, "When The Saints Go Marching In" (Victor 21582, 1928)
• Paramount Jubilee Singers, "When All The Saints Come Marching In" (Paramount 12073, 1923)
• Snowball & Sunshine, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Columbia 15722-D, 1932; rec. 1931)
• Horace Sprott & group "When the Saints Go Marching Home" (on MuSouth02)
• Wheat Street Female Quartet, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Columbia 14067-D, 1925)

References

1. Lomax-FSNA 236, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Arnett, p. 154, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Silber-FSWB, p. 369, "When The Saints Go Marching In" (1 text)
4. Fuld-WFM, pp. 641-642, "When the Saints Go Marching In"
5. Roud #13983
6. BI, LoF236