Swing Low...

 
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Swing Low...

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If you sing this song and are willing to talk of where & when you learned it, please email me at . Thanks! John Patrick.

Swing Low Sweet Chariot
(With Gestures)


Lyric           |       Gesture
Sing low             Hand clasped and fingers interlocked  motion with arms
sweet                  kiss fingers and blow kiss
chariot                snapping invisible reins and shaky voice as if riding in a chariot
Comin'                simulated masturbation
for                      hold up four fingers
to                        hold up two fingers
carry                   cradle arms as if carrying baby
me                      point to self
home                  make arc over head with arms


[ Repeat the above lyrics and gestures]
 


Lyric           |       Gesture
I                          point finger to the chest (some people point to eye)
looked                shade eyes with hand
over                    sweeping motion with hand in an arc.
Jordan                 make waving motion with hand (perhaps international river or water sign)
and what             make inquisitive posture by having arms up and palms up
did I                   Point finger to the chest (some people point to eye)
see                     shade eyes with hand (or using making as if looking through binoculars)
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

Comin'                simulated masturbation
for                       hold up four fingers
to                        hold up two fingers
carry                   cradle arms as if carrying baby
me                       point finger to the chest 
home                   make arc over head with arms
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

A band                play "air" trombone
of angles             place thumbs in armpits and flap arms
comin'                simulated masturbation
after                   [No Gesture]
me                      point finger to the chest
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

Comin'                simulated masturbation
for                       hold up four fingers
to                        hold up two fingers
carry                   cradle arms as if carrying baby
me                       point finger to the chest
home                   make arc over head with arms
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

If                         [No Gesture]
you                      point to someone else
get there              point somewhere
before                 hold up four fingers
I                          point to self (some people point to eye)
do                       [No Gesture]
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

Comin'                simulated masturbation
for                      hold up four fingers
to                       hold up two fingers
carry                  cradle arms as if carrying baby
me                      point finger to the chest
home                  make arc over head with arms
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

Tell                    cup hands around mouth as if shouting
all                      sweeping motion with arm
my                      point to self
friends                simulated hugging someone
I'm                      point finger to the chest (some people point to eye)
comin'                simulated masturbation
too.                    hold up two fingers
 


Lyric           |       Gesture

Comin'                simulated masturbation
for                       hold up four fingers
to                         hold up two fingers
carry                   cradle arms as if carrying baby
me                       point finger to the chest
home                   make arc over head with arms

The version above is from an anonymous US Air Force fighter pilot who learned it while serving in Vietnam.   First this song is sung with gestures.  Then it is hummed with gestures.  Finally, "Swing Low" is done silently with gestures only.  

"Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is used as a drinking game among US Air Force fighter pilots.  The person who screws up the motions is required to purchase the next round of drinks.  A copy of the 26 Oct. 2004 field recording is available to interested folklorists.









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