I first heard the mournful song “Wayfaring Stranger” from Bucky and Jody Kelly. They would often sing at church. Sometimes just the two of them sometimes their daughter would join them.
The only instrument was Bucky’s guitar. I always enjoyed hearing them. Jody had the sweetest spirit. She died from cancer, but I often find myself thinking about her and her gift of joy that she effortlessly shared with others.
Here’s what Wikipedia says about the song:
“The Wayfaring Stranger” (also known as “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” or “I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger”), Roud 3339, is a well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century[1] about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist and many versions of this song have been published over time by popular singers, often being linked to times of hardship and notable experiences in the singers’ lives, such as the case with Burl Ives’ autobiography.[2]
According to the book The Makers of the Sacred Harp, by David Warren Steel and Richard H. Hulan, the lyrics were published in 1858 in Joseph Bever’s Christian Songster, which was a collection of popular hymns and spiritual songs of the time.[3] This may or may not have been the first time the song appeared in English print, and the songwriter is unknown. Steel and Hulan suggest the song was derived from an 1816 German-language hymn, “Ich bin ja nur ein Gast auf Erden” by Isaac Niswander.[4]
During and for several years after the American Civil War, the lyrics were known as the Libby Prison Hymn.[5] This was because the words had been inscribed by a dying Union soldier incarcerated in Libby Prison, a warehouse converted to a notorious Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia known for its adverse conditions and high death rate. It had been believed that the dying soldier had authored the song to comfort a disabled soldier, but this was not the case since it had been published several years before the Civil War in 1858, before Libby Prison was put into service (1862).[6]
Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.[7]
Here’s what Paul said about the song when he uploaded the video last week:
I’ve always loved the song “Wayfaring Stranger” but never really thought about singing it until I heard the Glaser Brothers do it with a 3rd verse that really connected with me.
I could identify with acknowledging that my father knew for more than I know. In their verse, they sang, “My father lived and died a farmer.” Pap did some farming, especially when he was young and his parents were sharecroppers, but I changed that part to, “My father lived and died believing.” That seemed to fit or be more central to Pap’s life than farming.
Chatter and I tried the song back in the fall. We were basically experimenting with the song. I haphazardly set my Flip Cam on the bed in her old bedroom, not realizing that it didn’t catch our instruments. Chatter does a fair amount of note-hunting when she plays it on Chitter’s electric guitar; I inexplicably added the word “stretched” in one of the verses; and the overall take is almost as rough as the faces that I made while singing it! 🙂 But, I figured I would upload it anyway, since we never went back to the song and probably won’t anytime soon. Chatter’s harmony wasn’t bad, especially considering she barely opened her mouth to sing. 🙂
Like most traditional songs the lyrics vary depending on the person singing them. I’ve heard many different verses over the years since I first heard Bucky and Jody sing “the song”Wayfaring Stranger.” In fact they sung a unique verse about going over Jordan to see a fellow high school student who had died.
I hope you enjoyed Chatter and Paul’s version. Hopefully they can polish it up some more and film it again.
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
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Beautiful song! I always love hearing Paul, Chatter and really all y’all play and sing. Very talented family!
Here is another version I like……https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1MXtOukXU
I sing that song as “Wayfaring Pilgrim”. I learnt it from my Daddy more than 60 years ago.
Guess who else sings it like my Daddy learned it to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwspxZg8phY
The very things you are apologetic about are the very things that attract me to The Blind Pig & The Acorn and Celebrating Appalachia. It’s people being people. And it’s my people. I don’t watch movies and tv because it’s all fake. Fiction being acted out by Hollywood and New York City. I don’t want see any of that. I want to see, hear and read about people like me. If there are a few blips, bleeps and blots so what! The more the better. That’s what I’m here for. If you ever get perfect or anywhere near it, I’ll have to excuse myself and go.
Thanks to all for the background and history of this classic piece!
Enjoyed the song, Paul & chatter done a great job with it. If that’s the rough version, don’t know if I can handle the smooth version. Sounded great. Thanks for sharing Miss Tipper!
As an old man trying to learn to play, please help me by telling me the key the song was played in. My tin ear says it was either Am or Em.
Beautiful song and one of my all-time favorites. I remember when it was popularized by Joan Baez in the ’60s or ’70s. Y’all did a right fair job on it, Paul and Corrie. I especially liked the extemporized reference to Pap. That should become a verse for the song forever.
If this is rough, keep it that way. All I know about music and songs is it either sounds good to me or it don’t and this one sounded good to me. Someone else mentioned Joan Baez recoded it, I don’t remember, but I know Emmylou Harris recorded it. Could you have them confused?
Allison Krauss, Johnny Cash, Ernie Ford, Glen Campbell, Joan Baez, Jack White, Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, Dusty Springfield and a bunch more have recorded it. The list of singers that didn’t record is shorter than the ones who did. I think I remember Elvis singing it but I don’t know if he recorded it.
It was also recorded as Wayfaring Pilgrim by others. See my favorite version in my other other comment.
I first heard this song in the movie “Cold Mountain” and fell in love with it immediately. Jack White’s version with the mournful fiddle, mandolin and banjo just seems to capture the essence of the song – especially with the tragedy of the Civil War story of the movie in the background. It’s always a joy to hear your family’s renditions of these old favorites.
Perfect! Music can be much like snapping a photo in that it can be more perfect and appealing if it is spontaneous. You both did a fine job on this song. It is one of the most mournful songs in my memory, but it comes with a great promise of going home. Of all the wonderful memories we have of our earthly homes, I know our heavenly home will excel anything we have ever experienced on this earth. Thanks for so much from the entire blind Pig family.
Well dang, I wish my rough versions of working through a song sounded that good!
I personally think you did a great job, Paul. You and Corie, both. I think it’s hauntingly beautiful…
To my ear it sounded wonderful.
Beautiful song & beautiful voice, Paul!
I’ve always liked this song and Paul and Chatter did a fine job on this classic that gets you right in the eerie place of your soul! It’s a song that surely stays in the mind too- all day long most likely. If this is impromptu, all I can say is it’s a treat just to have you around to play and sing and after practice, you’d have folks tearing doors off the hinges just to get close up for a listen and gander! Thanks Paul and lovely Lady Chatter! Blessed Sunday to all of you! OH COME SPRING!!! Lol
I have always loved this song, and have heard so many different versions. I enjoy it ever time I hear it. It is haunting, and it a song that’s verses play over in your mind long after you heard it. As Paul is my favorite male singer, his version is the best I have heard! Corie sang such beautiful harmony with him. Thank you for the history of this song. I found it very interesting!
Donna. : )
Just beautiful! Paul, I enjoy your voice so much; Chatter, love hearing the electric guitar!
I love that wonderful old song. I’d love to hear Paul and Corie, along with Katie and Tipper play and sing it together. How about it?
I enjoyed Chatter’s and Paul’s version, much.
Well,if it’s rough I wouldn’t know as I found it to be very peaceful and comforting. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful song in your own version and the stories behind it!
I believe that Joan Baez had a version of this song released in the mid to late ’60’s. Time has made the memory a bit hazy… it was a very haunting, almost sad rendition, yet lovely. Thanks for the refreshing of my memory!
Gary, I asked in my comment if you might have Joan Baez confused with Emmylou Harris. I have since looked and you are correct, Joan Baez did make a recording of this song.
I love this! It is a beautiful song, which Bob I’m thankful that it has remained. God bless you and yours. ❤❤
I’ve lived with my Daddy for 6 years so he could remain the King of his castle and the High Priest of his temple all his days. He was one who loved life but didn’t disdain death so long as he could be home and choose his own treatments or none at all…
I’ve bellered and howled and crooned all day as the dishes got washed and the meals were cooked and old hymns are my go to. Wayfaring Stranger was the most sang song in my daily repertoire. Daddy died at home in my embrace Feb 03. His fave was HE LEADETH ME. I sang that for the 100, 000th time and the last time to him just before… I think The Deer Hunter and Chatter done right proud there with that timeless tune. It speaks to the here and now and to the eternal beyond. Deepest thanks!
LoriAnne-I’m so sorry you lost your daddy but its so wonderful you were able to stay with him and that he was able to do things his way 🙂
Sometimes imperfect is perfect, especially when it makes you listen slower…lol. Strained and reaching faces just add to the emotional connection between the sender and the receiver. I enjoyed it and will be digging further into the lyrics, though I’ve heard it countless times before…and that Gibson!
Great song, and I love the picture at the top of today’s post.
It could use some touching up, but I like it!
wayfaring stranger has its origins from a 17 century Lowland Scottish ballad called the Dowie Dens of Yarrow, here’s Joni Mitchell singing it.
https://youtu.be/UCFXJ7Mmqu4
And here’s the other for comparison
played in the Guildhall Londonderry, N. Ireland.
https://youtu.be/b1Z4PAZX9Bs
I’ve loved this song for a very long time. I believe I first heard it when Jack White sang it in the movie Cold Mountain. His YT video of it (just a plain black and white photo for the thumbnail) gets me every time. The other rendition that breaks my heart is sung during the film 1917. It is haunting. Thank you for sharing the history and the music, as rough as it is. I’d love to hear a more polished version, if you all ever find the time. Much love and many hugs!