457 Wayfaring Stranger

p. 457

Tune: Wayfaring Stranger, arr. John M Dye, 1935

Text: Bever's Christian Songster, 1858. (which you can see at https://archive.org/details/christiansongste00beve/page/n3/mode/2up) , as no.23 'I am a pilgrim and a stranger'. But hardly any of the words are the same! So where does this version of the text really come from?

I am a poor, wayfaring stranger,

While journ’ying 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.

I know dark clouds will gather o’er me,
I know my way is rough and steep;
Yet beaut’ous 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.

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 meet my Savior,
To sing His praise forevermore;
I’m only going over Jordan,
I’m only going over home.