Wayfaring Stranger has long been one of my favorite tunes. It’s so soulful, and has that minor grooving feel. It just may be one the the coolest tunes ever. 🙂
I have a recollection of Shorty playing this tune, possibly at the Grand Lake Fiddle Festival in Grove, OK. I just love Shorty’s fiddling. He’s one of my favorite people in the fiddle world too.
Other than that, I really don’t know much about the history of Wayfaring Stranger, but I’m anxious to find out.
The Wayfaring Stranger according to Wikipedia
“The Wayfaring Stranger” (aka “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” or “I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger”), Roud 3339, is a well-known American spiritual/folk song likely originating in the early 19th century[1] about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. 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 New Christy Minstrels recorded their song “The Ballad of Julie Ann” to this tune.
It was used in the motion picture Cold Mountain performed by Jack White. The movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Use in classical music
Ernő Dohnányi used the tune (along with two other traditional American folktunes) in his final composition American Rhapsody (1953).
Wayfaring Stranger Lyrics
As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist. Here is one common version:
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
I’m traveling through this world of woe
Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright land to which I go
I’m going there to see my mother/father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
I know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet golden fields lie just before me
Where God’s redeemed shall ever sleep
I’m going there to see my father/mother
S/he said he’d/she’d meet me when I come
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
I want to wear a crown of glory
When I get home to that good land
I want to shout salvation’s story
In concert with the blood-washed band
I’m going there to meet my Saviour
To sing his praise forever more
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m just a going over home
"Wayfaring Strangers" is also one of my favorite tunes & one of the competition places I'll be playing Saturday in Louisville at the Kentucky State Mountain Dulcimer Championships. Legend has it that, during the 13-day siege of the Alamo in 1836, Davy Crockett would entertain the troops during lulls in battle by playing his fiddle. Among his many accomplishments, Davy was also a fiddler, and, he attempted to keep the morale of the troops up by fiddling for them. Supposedly, the "Wayfaring Stranger" was a tune he played over & over throughout the siege, While not an uplifting song, the soulful, plaintive strains of this tune probably best captured the quiet resignation the Texans had of their impending doom/fate. I always enjoy performing tunes that have some historical signifigance, and the "Wayfaring Stranger" falss into this category. Wanted to share this bit of historical info with you. Great rendition, by the way- keep up the great work!
Good luck this weekend, Chuck! I am sure you will do a fabulous job!
You will do great.
Let us know how it turns out
Good Luck!!
Goose bumps when I hear this tune. Thanx for playing it!
I've never heard it played quite like this, Vi! Crying! You have touched my soul! Blessings to you, dear teacher! ^_ ^
Ahw, Thanks Charlotte Arthur Blair, and John Nichols! You are dear friends to me! 🙂
You're welcome, Nathan.
Thanks for sharing that historical perspective.
Wow. I'm so glad that my music has touched you. It's a beautiful song to play.