"
When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "
The Saints", is an
American gospel hymn. Though it originated as a
Christian hymn, it is often played by
jazz bands. This song was famously recorded on May 13, 1938 by
Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. The song is sometimes confused with a similarly titled composition "When the Saints
are Marching In" from 1896 by
Katharine Purvis (lyrics) and
James Milton Black (music).