Introduction
The Wayfaring Stranger, dated 1784, was a “spiritual” sung mainly by the pioneers that inhabited the southern Appalachian Mountains and typically used at revival meetings. The pioneers led grueling lives full of hardships and trials and anticipated eternity with an expectancy that is expressed beautifully in the words of the song that talks of both the struggles and blessed paradise on the other side of Jordan.
The Wayfaring Stranger
1784
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
A-trav'lin' through this world of woe,
But there's no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I'm goin' there to see my mother;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.
My father lived and died a farmer
A-reapin' less than he did sow.
And now I follow in his footsteps
A-knowin' less than he did know.
I'm goin' there to see my father;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me.
My way is steep and rough, I know,
But fertile fields lie just before me
In that fair land to which I go.
I'm goin' there to see my brother;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.
A-trav'lin' through this world of woe,
But there's no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go.
I'm goin' there to see my mother;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.
My father lived and died a farmer
A-reapin' less than he did sow.
And now I follow in his footsteps
A-knowin' less than he did know.
I'm goin' there to see my father;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me.
My way is steep and rough, I know,
But fertile fields lie just before me
In that fair land to which I go.
I'm goin' there to see my brother;
I'm goin' there, no more to roam.
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan,
I'm just a-goin' over home.