"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 origins of this song are unclear. It apparently evolved in the early 1900s from a number of similarly titled gospel songs including "When the Saints Are Marching In" (1896) and "When the Saints March In for Crowning" (1908). The first known recorded version was in 1923 by the Paramount Jubilee Singers. Although the title given on the label is "When All the Saints Come Marching In", the group sings the modern lyrics beginning with "When the saints go marching in". No author is shown on the label. Several other gospel versions were recorded in the 1920s, with slightly varying titles but using the same lyrics. It was recorded by Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bruce Springsteen, Etta James, Dolly Parton, The Weavers and many others. It has become synonymous with New Orleans jazz. In New Orleans the melody is traditionally used as a funeral march. While accompanying the coffin to the cemetery, bands play the tune, along with other selections, as a dirge. When returning from the interment, the bands switch to the familiar upbeat or Dixieland style of play. I perform this with the Lake Erie Banjo Jammers.