This song is really a traditional spiritual and almost certainly has roots in Afro-American music from the nineteenth century. It may, in fact, have origins with the slaves in the southern United States, who were said to have sung early versions of it at funerals of fellow slaves. When the tradition of jazz bands marching in funeral processions through New Orleans' streets began, the melody to "When the Saints Go Marching In" was frequently played and grew in popularity. That tune is one of the more famous in traditional American spirituals. It is jazzy and full of energy and even when sung unaccompanied brims with rhythmic verve, the beat seeming to leap from the springy music and find life in the clapping of hands and stomping of feet. The main theme's first two phrases are sung with a staccato-like delivery, but the tune turns more legato in its latter half. It has an almost march-like gait in its utterly joyous manner, and most listeners will be surprised at its connection to funerals. Like the traditional spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,"

"When the Saints Go Marching In" features a repeating tune that dominates the whole song.

© Robert Cummings, Rovi