Poor Wayfaring Stranger

"The Wayfaring Stranger" (aka "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" or "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger"), Roud 3339, is a well-known American folk song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist.

The Virginia Glee Club first performed the text in an arrangement by Harry Rogers Pratt during their 50th Anniversary Concert in 1936. The group has performed a version arranged by Douglas Moore and Donald Loach since 1991. The Moore/Loach arrangement omits the third verse.

Lyrics

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 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
Yet golden fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed shall ever sleep
I'm going there to see my father
He said he'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

Use in classical music

Ernő Dohnányi used the tune (along with two other traditional American folktunes) in his final composition American Rhapsody (1953). In addition, George Crumb used the tune with lyrics in Unto the Hills (2001), for soprano, piano, and percussion quartet.

Performances

Harry Rogers Pratt arrangement

• 50th Anniversary Concert (1936)
• New York City Tour (1936)
  • Concert at the Plaza Hotel (1936)
  • Concert at Barnard College (1936)
  • Concert at Richmond Women's Club (1936)
• Glee Club 1938-1939 season
• Concert at Madison College (1941)
• Concert at Hollins College (1941)
• Southeastern Folklore Society Meeting (1941)

Moore/Loach arrangement

• Fall Concert (1974)
• Concert at River Road (1975)

• European Tour (1975)
• Finals Concert (1980)
• Finals Concert (1986)
• Finals Concert (1988)
• Kickoff Concert (1991)
• Kickoff Concert (1993)
• Fall Roll to Harvard/Radcliffe (1993)
• Concert on the Lawn (1994)
• Finals Concert (1994)
• Finals Concert (1995)
• Finals Concert (1996)

Recordings

• A Dove in the Hall

Further reading

• John F. Garst, "'Poor Wayfaring Stranger'—Early Publications," The Hymn: [A Publication of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada], vol. 31, no. 2, 1980, pp. 97–101

External links

• Template:MetroLyrics song