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The Wayfaring Stranger (song)

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"The Wayfaring Stranger," also known as "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," is a well-known spiritual/folk song about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. The journey the singer speaks of is the trials and tribulations of life. Home is the final reward of reuniting with loved ones in Heaven in the afterlife.[1] It became one of Burl Ives's signature songs, included on his 1944 album The Wayfaring Stranger. Ives used it as the title of his early 1940s CBS radio show and his 1948 autobiography. He became known as "The Wayfaring Stranger."

The song is often classified as a "white spiritual." The first known printing of it is in Ananias Davisson's Kentucky Harmony, or, A Choice Collection of Psalm Tunes, Hymns, and Anthems, in Three Parts.[2]

Further information appears in the article on Charles Davis Tillman.

Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
A-trav'ling through this world of woe.
But there's no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I'm going home to see my father
I'm going there no more to roam;
I'm just a-going over Jordan
I'm just a-going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep;
But beauteous fields lie just beyond me
Where souls redeemed their vigil keep.
I'm going there to meet my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm just a-going over Jordan
I'm just a-going over home.

I want to wear a crown of glory
When I get home to that bright land
I want to shout Salvation's story
In concert with that bloodwashed band.
I'm going there to meet my Saviour
To sing His praises forevermore
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home. [3]

Notable recordings

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References

  1. ^ Digital Tradition Folk Music Database: link
  2. ^ Herbert Haufrecht, ed., The Wayfarin' Stranger: A Collection of 21 Folk Songs and Ballads. New York: Leeds Music, 1945, p. 46; Library of Congress Catalogue, LCCN 79770668: link
  3. ^ http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiWAYFARIN;ttWAYFARIN.html

Further reading

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