I am a poor wayfaring stranger

General information

These are the words to an American folk song, reportedly from the early nineteenth century. However, Garst (1980) could not find any publication earlier than 1858, and the 1858 words differ significantly from later versions. There are several versions of the text. Meter is 98. 98.

Settings by composers (automated)

• Traditional — Wayfaring Stranger  English 

 

References

• Bever, Joseph. 1858. The Christian Songster. Dayton, Ohio: United Brethren in Christ.
• Dale, William T. 1893. Times of Refreshing. Macon, Georgia: G. W. Burke.
• Garst, John F. 1980. Poor Wayfaring Stranger – Early Publications. The Hymn 31(2):97-101.
• Taylor, Marshall W. 1882. Revival Hymns and Plantation Melodies. Cincinnati, Ohio: Taylor and Echols.
• Tillman, Charlie D. 1891. The Revival. Williston, South Carolina: Author.

External links

• Garst 1980 at Hathi Trust

Text and translations

English text Bever (1858) I am a pilgrim and a stranger, While wandering through this world of woe; But there's no sickness, death, nor sorrow, In that bright world to which I go. I'm going there to see my father, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm just a going over Jordan, I'm just a going over home. 2. I feel my sins are all forgiven, I feel I'm on my journey home; I'm going away to that sweet heaven, Where Jesus smiles and bids me come. I'm going there to see my mother, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm just a going over Jordan, I'm just a going over home. 3. I'm going away to life's bright river, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm going there to live forever, According to his precious word. I'm going there to see my brethren, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm just a going over Jordan, I'm just a going over home. 4. I'm going to a world of pleasure, That's far beyond this world of strife; For there's my heart and there's my treasure, And there's the blooming tree of life. I'm going there to see my sisters, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm just a going over Jordan, I'm just a going over home. 5. I'm going there to rest forever, From all my labors and my toils; Where kindred spirits ne'er shall sever, In that eternal world of joy. I'm going there to see my children, I'm going there to see my Lord; I'm just a going over Jordan, I'm just a going over home.

Taylor (1882) 1. I am a wayfaring stranger, While journeying thro' this world of woe; Yet there‘s no sickness, toil, or danger, In that bright world 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. 2. I know dark clouds will gather round me, I know my way is rough and steep; Yet brighter fields He just before me, Where God's redeemed their vigils keep. I'm going there to see my mother- She said she'd meet me when I come; I’m just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home. 3. I feel my sins are all forgiven, My hopes are placed on things above; I'm going o'er to yon bright heaven, Where all is joy and peace and love. I'm going there to see my children, I know they're near my Father's throne; I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home. 4. I want to wear a crown of glory. When I get home to that good land; I want to King salvation's story, In concert with the blood-washed band. I'm going there to see my classmates, Who've gone before me one by one; I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home. 5. I'll soon be free from every trial, My body will sleep in the old church-yard; I’ll drop the cross of self-denial, And enter on my great reward. I'm going there to see my Savior, To sing his praise in heaven's dome; I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home.

Tillman (1891) 1. I am a poor wayfaring stranger, While journeying through this world of woe, Yet there's no sickness, toil, nor danger, In that. bright world to which I go. I'm going there to see my Father, I'm going there no more to roam. I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 2. l know dark clouds will gather round me, I know my way is rough and steep. Yet beauteous fields lie just before me, Where God's redeemed vigils keep. I'm going there to see mother, She said she'd meet me when I come, I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 3. I'll soon be freed from every trial, My body will sleep in the old church yard; I'll drop the cross of self-denial, And enter on my great reward. I'm going there to see my classmates Who've gone before me one by one, I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 4 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 see my Savior, To sing his praise forever more, I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home.

Dale (1893) 1. I am a poor wayfaring stranger, While traveling through this world of woe, Yet there's no sickness, toil, nor danger, In that. bright world to which I go. I'm going there to see my Father, I'm going there no more to roam. I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 2. l know dark clouds will gather round me, I know my way is rough and steep; Yet beauteous fields lie just before me, Where God's redeemed their vigils keep. I'm going there to see my mother, She said she'd meet me when I come, I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 3 I'll soon be freed from every trial, My body sleep in the church yard, I'll drop the cross of self-denial, And enter on my great reward, I'm going there to see my class mates, Who've gone before me one by one, I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home. 4 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 see my Savior, To sing His praise forever more, rm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home.