The song “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” holds a famous place in history, being so old that it’s uncertain exactly where the tune has come from. Many people focus on the Old Irish – individuals of the Appalachian or Catskills variety. An additional explanation that’s regarded as a strong probability is that the track originated from spirituals and that the source has been intentionally disguised. Nevertheless, that hypothesis is just one of several.
Another theory is that the song was written in 1816 and is actually the extension on the work of the 18th century printer and lay musician, John Wyeth. The song’s first identified official release is considered to have been in the tunebook called Kentucky Harmony, also referred to as a collection of Psalms.
Yet another well-liked method of playing the song is using the Native American flute, showing a powerful link with Native American tradition also.
The actual track itself certainly possesses Christian overtones, chronicling the present land the singer is traversing while revealing the place, where there’s no disease or danger and all his or her much loved family members who were missing are there waiting.
Lyrics note the multiple challenges the individual will face prior to reaching his or her destination, yet there is beauty and salvation waiting when the end is reached. The song ends with the singer noting he or she is just going “home.”
Dolly Parton, Trace Adkins, Tom Fox, Eva Cassidy, Natalie Merchant, Joan Baez, Jamie Woon, Burl Ives and Johnny Cash are among the many musicians who’ve chosen to perform the song.
For Burl Ives, the song was a signature piece and was used as the title of his autobiography. It was also the title of Ives’ personal radio show on CBS in the 1940′s.
Regardless of the veracity of the stories of its origins, the song continues to hold onto its popularity throughout countless decades. It appeals to a great number of singers and has drawn in many famous voices to communicate the song’s meaning to brand new audiences through the years.
Now listen to a free mp3 download of Wayfaring Stranger.
