Thursday, January 9, 2014

Wayfaring Stranger

New year, new resolution.
I really, really, really want to learn to play the guitar.  I want to be able to take my guitar on a camping trip and sit around the campfire for a couple of hours playing and singing and everyone having a good time.  I would like to not be embarrassed if there are other people around (besides my hubby and kids, they are very understanding.)  I also realized last summer, that unless I have 50 songs memorized I am going to need my music on a glowing rectangle.  So, my plan this year is to learn one new song to sing and play on the guitar each week.  I will post the song here and load it on my iPad in the Finale app.  By summer I should have a good collection of songs and I can go camping every weekend just so I can sit around the fire strumming my guitar.  (Or just in the back yard, either way.)

So the first song to go up is this little gem, Wayfaring Stranger.  I first encountered it in a lovely collection of early American hymns by Anonymous Four called American Angels.  I also found it in my guitar method book, but that only had one verse.

Here's a youtube recording in case you don't know the melody.
Anonymous4 singing Wayfaring Stranger


Wayfaring Stranger

Am
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
                Dm                    Am
While traveling through this world of woe
                                
Yet there's no sickness toil nor danger
               Dm             Am
In that bright Land to which I go

                          Dm
I'm going there to see my Father
          Am              
I'm going there no more to roam
         C          Am
I'm only going over Jordan
         Dm         Am
I'm only going over home


I know dark clouds will gather o’er me
          Dm               Am
I know my way is rough and steep
                           
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
               Dm                 Am
Where God’s redeemed there vigils keep
                          Dm
I'm going there to see my mother
               Am            
She said she'd meet me when I come
         C          Am
I'm only going over Jordan
         Dm         Am
I'm only going over home

I want to wear a crown of glory,
           Dm                Am
When I get home to that good land;

I want to shout salvation’s story,
       Dm                        Am
In concert with the blood-washed band.
                           Dm
I’m going there to meet my Savior,
            Am
To sing His praise forever more;
         C          Am
I’m only going over Jordan,
         Dm         Am
I’m only going over home.