Wayfaring Stranger

"Wayfaring Stranger" is a traditional American folk song likely originating in the early 19th century. Its earliest known publication was in *The Christian Songster*, an 1858 collection of popular hymns and spirituals, though there is some suggestion it may have been derived from an earlier German hymn. The tune is a variant on a hymn tune called "Judgment" (also the source of the tune for "Man of Constant Sorrow"), which appears as early as 1816 in a shape note songbook called *Kentucky Harmony*.

The song has seen enduring popularity, being covered by numerous artists and featured in TV shows, movies, and video games. The Longest Johns' version was released as track 6 on Smoke + Oakum.

## Factoids

During the American Civil War, the song also became known as the Libby Prison Hymn after a dying Union soldier inscribed the lyrics at Libby Prison, a warehouse converted to a notorious Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia, known for its adverse conditions and high death rate.

## Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the album version.

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

Travelling through this world of woe

There is no sickness, toil nor danger

In that fair land to which I go

I'm going home to see my mother

I'm going home, no more to roam

I'm just going over Jordan

I'm just going over home

I know dark clouds will hover o'er me

I know my path is rough and steep

But golden fields lie out before me

Where weary eyes no more shall weep

I'm going home to see my father

I'm going home, no more to roam

I'm just going over Jordan

I'm just going over home

I'll soon be free from every trial

This form shall rest beneath the sun

I'll drop the cross of self-denial

And enter in that home with God

I'm going home to see my Saviour

I'm going home, no more to roam

I'm just going over Jordan

I'm just going over home

I'm going home to see my Saviour

I'm going home, no more to roam

I'm just going over Jordan

I'm just going over home

## Recordings

#### Streaming/Purchase

* Amazon Music (Smoke & Oakum version)
* Amazon Music (Made of Ale version)
* Apple Music/iTunes (Smoke & Oakum version)
* Apple Music/iTunes (Made of Ale version)
* Deezer (Smoke & Oakum version)
* Deezer (Made of Ale version)
* Pandora (Smoke & Oakum version)
* Spotify (Smoke & Oakum version)
* Spotify (Made of Ale version)

#### YouTube Videos

* Music Video
* Made of Ale Sessions
* Album version
* USA tour rehearsals | Wayfaring Stranger (23 Feb 2022)

#### Gig Videos

* The Longest John — Live at Old Songs (26 Feb 2022)
* The Longest Johns Live NYC 2022 @ Le Poisson Rouge (2 Mar 2022)
* Exeter Phoenix (26 April 2022)
* The Studio at the Factory - Dallas, TX (23 Nov 2022)

#### Full Band Streams

* Ex-Stream Sports (15 Feb 2022)
* Streamage Mutant Ninja Turtles (3 May 2022)
* Heinz Baked Stream (14 Sep 2022)
* Sega Streamcast (15 Feb 2023)
* It Was Christmas Stream Babe (20 Dec 2023)

#### Gaming Streams

* We’re back! Lily-livered land-lubbers beware! With Kharites\_ & Krotukk! - 04/02/2022
* New things?!? Well, new to us anyway. Now with added Spammals!! - 28/03/2022
* Two SoT streams in one week?!? What is this, 2020? - 01/04/2022

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Wayfaring\_Stranger\_(song)
2. ↑ https://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/FSC077.html
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Wayfaring\_Stranger\_(song)