Swing Low

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds · Other Songs - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

How is little Thomas Magee?



Thomas Magee, he swallowed a key



Jedediah, little Thomas Magee



Holly, holly, just let him be



His wise now, little Thomas Magee



Called his kid on the telephone



Heart was beating in my chest



I needed something I could not digest



And the phone kept ringing, there's no one home



Ran to his house, rapped on my window, ooh



Blood was pumping much too fast



I stuck my fingers through the glass



Strange music playing on the radio



Swing low, swing low, swing low, swing low



Way down low and carry me home



Pray like Peter, preach like Paul, Jesus died to save us all



I climbed through the window and crawled on the floor



I wrecked off all the furniture



But I still couldn't found what I was lookin' for



Problems still reclaimed as a whole



Cannot be solved, they must be outgrown



The bottomless knowledge could not be known



The empty ring on the telephone



And the strange music playing on the radio



Swing low, swing low, swing low, swing low



Yeah, way down low and carry me home



Where you go? Where do you go?



Swing low, baby, save my soul



Where do you go? Where do you go?



Yeah, swing low, baby, save my soul



Swing low, swing low, swing low



Swing low, swing low, swing low



Swing low, swing

Swing Low

Swing Low stands as a testament to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' enduring ability to reinterpret traditional material with their signature gothic intensity. The track draws from the rich well of American folk and spiritual traditions, transforming a familiar melody into a haunting exploration of mortality and hope. Cave's baritone delivery anchors the recording, weaving a narrative that feels both timeless and immediate within the band's expansive discography. This work exemplifies the group's skill in blending rock instrumentation with the solemnity of gospel, creating a soundscape that resonates deeply with listeners. As part of their broader catalogue, the song highlights the artist's commitment to exploring themes of faith and redemption through a modern lens, cementing its place as a significant song in their musical legacy.