Analysis of The Traditional Lyrics
The song is apocalyptic, taking much of its imagery from the Book of Revelation, but excluding its more horrific depictions of the Last Judgment. The verses about the Sun and Moon refer to Solar and Lunar eclipses; the trumpet (of the Archangel Gabriel) is the way in which the Last Judgment is announced. The phrase "I want to be in that number" refers to the specific number of "144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth", given as prophecy in Revelations. The Bible speaks of these people as being "sealed" as "servants of God", without specifically calling them saints. As the hymn expresses the wish to go to Heaven, picturing the saints going in (through the Pearly Gates), it is entirely appropriate for funerals.
Read more about this topic: When The Saints Go Marching In
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