"Wayfaring Stranger," sometimes known as "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," or "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger," is a well-known American folk-song/spiritual. Its origin is unknown, but it is thought to have originated in the early 19th century.
The song is about a traveler journeying through a difficult life, and looking forward to the rest and beauty of the after-life. Crossing over the Jordan River signifies dying. When the singer refers to seeing his mother and father, and his Savior, he is speaking of life after death and the joy of seeing loved ones in heaven.
This song has been used in many movies and even in the PC game, Oregon Trail. It has been sung by such well known artists as Andy Griffith, Johnny Cash, Trace Adkins, and Burl Ives. It became something of a theme song for Ives, who used it as the title of his early 1940s radio show and later in his autobiography. He became known as "The Wayfaring Stranger."
The song is about a traveler journeying through a difficult life, and looking forward to the rest and beauty of the after-life. Crossing over the Jordan River signifies dying. When the singer refers to seeing his mother and father, and his Savior, he is speaking of life after death and the joy of seeing loved ones in heaven.
This song has been used in many movies and even in the PC game, Oregon Trail. It has been sung by such well known artists as Andy Griffith, Johnny Cash, Trace Adkins, and Burl Ives. It became something of a theme song for Ives, who used it as the title of his early 1940s radio show and later in his autobiography. He became known as "The Wayfaring Stranger."
