The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #78800 Message #4060735
Posted By: Bruce D
22-Jun-20 - 09:35 AM
Thread Name: Origins: 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' Bawdy Gestures
Subject: RE: Origins: 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' Bawdy Gestures
According to Wikipedia says it was composed by Wallis Willis in 1865
From my experience from sing it, I would say it was an Hymm which has ended up as a drinking song, and at some point the actions have been attached to the words. Which is born out in the Wikipedia entry on the song.
I have a copy of the song from my fathers WWII Sod's opera song book, so it was a common song sung by the military, and it would take much for a drunken sailor (or soldier) to preform it with some actions.