Oklahoma State Gospel Song

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Adopted: April 25, 2011

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

composed and written by Wallis Willis

   Swing low, sweet chariot, 
   Coming for to carry me home,
   Swing low, sweet chariot;
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   I looked over Jordan, and what did I see,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   A band of angels comin’ after me,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   Swing low, sweet chariot, 
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   If you get there before I do,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   Tell all my friends I’m comin’ too,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   The brightest day that I can say,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   When Jesus washed my sins away,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home,
   Swing low, sweet chariot,
   Comin’ for to carry me home.

Adoption of the official state gospel song

Oklahoma State Gospel Song: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
Jubilee Singers, Frisk University, Nashville, Tenn.

According to the non-profit African American Registry, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was written before 1862 by a Choctaw Indian slave Wallace Willis in Indian Territory that is now Oklahoma.

It is said that the Red River made Wallis think of the Jordan River and the song was loosely based on a Bible passage that describes the Prophet Elijah riding to heaven in a chariot.

It is also said that the song is reference to the Underground Railroad that carried slaves north.

The idea to honor "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was brought to Senator Judy Eason McIntyre, Tulsa, by board members of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Senator McIntyre like the idea and introduced Senate Bill No. 73 (SB73) on February 7, 2011. Sen. McIntyre said she had heard the song all her life but never realized it was written in Oklahoma.

SB73 was passed by the Senate, on February 24, 2011, with only one dissenting vote.

Representative Jabar Shumate ushered SB73 through the House where it was approved unanimously on April 26, 2011.

An April 25 press release from the office of Rep. Shumate states:

"‘Swing Law, Sweet Chariot’ is among the most famous gospel songs in the world," said Shumate, D-Tulsa. "It should be a source of pride to all Oklahomans that this meaningful song was written in our state. Granting this song official recognition will help publicize the diversity of Oklahoma and the contributions of African-Americans to our state."

Governor Mary Fallin signed Senate Bill No. 73 into law on the same day it was approved by the House.

Oklahoma Law

ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 73

By: Eason McIntyre and Ellis of the Senate
and
Shumate and Pittman of the House

An Act relating to the state gospel song; declaring “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” as the official state gospel song; designating official depository; stipulating words to song; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

SUBJECT: State Gospel Song

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 94.11 of Title 25, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

The official state gospel song of the State of Oklahoma is hereby declared to be the words of the song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, composed and written by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman living in Indian Territory before 1862.

SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 94.12 of Title 25, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

The State Library shall be the official depository of the official Oklahoma State Gospel Song, and the State Librarian shall cause a copy thereof to be kept in the State Library.

SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 94.13 of Title 25, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

The words to the Oklahoma State Gospel Song, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, words by Wallis Willis, are as follows:

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot;
Comin’ for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
A band of angels comin’ after me,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

If you get there before I do,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I’m comin’ too,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

The brightest day that I can say,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
When Jesus washed my sins away,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin’ for to carry me home.

SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2011.

Passed the Senate the 24th day of February, 2011.

Passed the House of Representatives the 25th day of April, 2011.

Sources...

State of Oklahoma. Bill Information for SB 73. Oklahoma City: State of Oklahoma, 2011. Web. 23 June 2011. <http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=Sb73>.
Hoberock, Barbara. "Ex-slave’s enduring song ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ may win honor." Tulsa World Oklahoman 25 Dec 2010: Web. 23 Jun 2011. <http://newsok.com/ex-slaves-enduring-song-may-win-honor/article/3526683>.
Office of Rep. Jabar Shumate. "House Approves State Gospel Song." Press Release 25 Apr 2011: Web 23 Jun 2011. <http://www.okhouse.gov/OkhouseMedia/ShowStory.aspx?MediaNewsID=3960>.

Additional information

Jubilee Songs: Music, lyric, audio and video for "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," among others, from PBS's "The American Experience - Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory."

"Swing Low Sweet Chariot," Traditional: About.com - History of an American folk song By Kim Ruehl, About.com Guide.

Spirituals as Coded Communication: A multidisciplinary online curriculum by The Spirituals Project at the University of Denver.

Story behind spiritual 'Sweet Chariot' emerges: USA Today article: August 15, 2006.