Fascinating history, Mary. Thank you! I remember a visit to the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati and reading about "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and its association with the Big Dipper pointing the way to the North Star. I love "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and I once sung it--over and over--to comfort a woman with severe Alzheimer's at a guest ranch where I worked. I found her wandering by herself along a steep cliff; she was so agitated she wouldn't follow me back to safety until I began singing "Swing Low." After a few verses, she let me lead her away from the edge and into a nearby building where I kept singing to her until I found someone who could fetch her family. I must have been channeling some of the song's history that day.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt story. The way Swing Low, Sweet Chariot comforted someone in need beautifully shows the enduring power of music. It is moving how you knew to sing it and lead her to safety. I want to visit the Underground Railroad Museum one day. I am sure I could spend the entire day there!
The Underground Railroad Museum isn't large, but it is incredibly moving and inspiring, the building itself, the location near the banks of the Ohio and the exhibits. I think you would be able to spend an entire day there, and you would never forget it!
I had read some of the research about music and Alzheimer's patients, so I knew that might be a way to reach her, and honestly, I don't sing much in public, but Swing Low is in my range, and I just started singing without any plan or forethought. Fortunately, it worked to draw her away from the edge and calm her down enough that I could get her to a safer place.
Fascinating , I love “Swing Low” and used to sing it to my Granddaughter. Good to know its history and meaning , as well as listen to such a beautiful rendition. Thank You 🙏🏻
Thank you, Susan! That's so sweet that you sang it to your granddaughter. I'm happy to know the history of the song too. I love how these spiritual lyrics had hidden codes and meanings.
Fascinating history, Mary. Thank you! I remember a visit to the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati and reading about "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and its association with the Big Dipper pointing the way to the North Star. I love "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and I once sung it--over and over--to comfort a woman with severe Alzheimer's at a guest ranch where I worked. I found her wandering by herself along a steep cliff; she was so agitated she wouldn't follow me back to safety until I began singing "Swing Low." After a few verses, she let me lead her away from the edge and into a nearby building where I kept singing to her until I found someone who could fetch her family. I must have been channeling some of the song's history that day.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt story. The way Swing Low, Sweet Chariot comforted someone in need beautifully shows the enduring power of music. It is moving how you knew to sing it and lead her to safety. I want to visit the Underground Railroad Museum one day. I am sure I could spend the entire day there!
The Underground Railroad Museum isn't large, but it is incredibly moving and inspiring, the building itself, the location near the banks of the Ohio and the exhibits. I think you would be able to spend an entire day there, and you would never forget it!
I had read some of the research about music and Alzheimer's patients, so I knew that might be a way to reach her, and honestly, I don't sing much in public, but Swing Low is in my range, and I just started singing without any plan or forethought. Fortunately, it worked to draw her away from the edge and calm her down enough that I could get her to a safer place.
Fascinating , I love “Swing Low” and used to sing it to my Granddaughter. Good to know its history and meaning , as well as listen to such a beautiful rendition. Thank You 🙏🏻
Thank you, Susan! That's so sweet that you sang it to your granddaughter. I'm happy to know the history of the song too. I love how these spiritual lyrics had hidden codes and meanings.