The words were written by Sarah Hannah Sheppard. While bent on suicide circa 1851, the old negress told her "Let the chariot (ie cradle) of the Lord swing low......there's great work for this baby to do here on earth.... Don't do it honey". In the 1860's Ella studied at Fisk School (for former slaves) and taught music. To raise money the Fisk Jubilee Singers went on tour and appeared before royalty in England and Germany. The group became known for popularising spirituals and by 1925 the song, with an arrangement by Henry Burleigh, was famous all over America