The Wayfaring Stranger (song)

"The Wayfaring Stranger" (also known as "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" or "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger"), is a well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist. re

Quotes (Variations)

 * I'm just a po journ'en strangerPass'en through dis world o' woeThere is no sickness, no toil, no dangerIn dat fair land to where I goI'm goin de'r to see my FatherAnd all my loved ones who' gone onI'm just goin over JordanI'm just goin over home.
 * Songs of the Slaves :American  (Circa 1700)


 * I'm just a poor wayfaring strangerTraveling through this world belowAnd there's no sickness, no toil, no dangerIn that fair land to which I goI'm going there to see my FatherAnd all my loved ones who've gone onI'm just going over JordanI'm just going over home.
 * Johnny Cash in American III: Solitary Man (October 17, 2000)


 * I'm just a poor wayfaring strangerTraveling through this world of woeAnd there's no sickness, no toil, no danger<BR>In that fair land to which I go<BR>I'm going there to see my mother<BR>I'm going there no more to roam
 * Burl Ives in The Return of the Wayfaring Stranger (1949)


 * I am a poor wayfaring stranger<BR>While traveling through this land of woe.<BR> There'll be no sickness, toil or danger in that bright land to which i'll go. <BR>Going there to meet my savior...<BR> going there to no more to roam. I'm only going over Jordan<BR>I'm just going over home<BR>I know dark clouds will gather around me<BR>But i'll be home in a little while... I know His sweet love will surround me, and He will walk with me each mile.
 * Dolly Parton in Dolly Parton Heartsongs: Live from Home (September 1994)

Quotes about

 * This song has been around for over 200 hundred [sic] years blessing millions of Americans in both the secular and the religious world. It is difficult if not impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of this North American folk song... Some historians saying that they can trace this song to the 1780s while others trace to the early 1800s... Some people think that is a reworked Negro spiritual... this song...one of the most loved gospel folk songs in America.
 * Wayfaring Stranger Hymn Lyrics and History, Samuel Albert (2017)