Why “Wayfaring Stranger”? Why now?

It’s simple. And it’s not stranger than usual. Or maybe it is.

Strange, but Not A Stranger

When I started working on my folk song album, I knew that “Wayfaring Stranger” needed to be part of it. For one thing, I’m always attracted to this song.

It was the first song I sang without rehearsing it at a gig. Suddenly, I had this inspiration to sing it. I didn’t remember all the lyrics, but no one cared. It was familiar to people and they appreciated it.

...trav'lin' through this world below.
But there's no sickness toil nor danger...

Way Far Away

On the surface, this “Stranger” song is about escaping to another world. The pain of this world is too much, so let’s go to heaven. But that’s not why I sang this song now.

No, this song is for me about the hardships of this world. If we can overcome them in the present it will be by looking to our most powerful inspirations. Perhaps a parent (“poppa”, “mamma”, or whatever you choose), a friend (sibling, brother, sister, cousin), or even the pathway itself will be what inspires us.

Once we feel the power of this inspiration, we act. In the present moment, we traverse into the scary or familiar trail. Here, we keep finding ways to move forward together or alone.

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me.
I know the pathway's rough and steep...

Strangely Met

Certainly, the present times present us with plenty of hardships, challenges, and roadblocks. And yet we march. We step forward into the unknown knowing that unless we take this step we will not be able to face ourselves tomorrow. This is how we are steadfastly refusing to wait until they “come for us“.

For me, “Wayfaring Stranger” is about the way forward. It calls on me to press ahead even when the path feels too treacherous or scary.

...when I get home to that good land...

Wayfaring Instruments

So, I began to build a banjo riff and another one for the mandolin. I played the sung melody line on the hammered dulcimer. (But I did not keep track that since the vocal needed to go its own way.)

Then came the vocal comping session for “Wayfaring Stranger”. I’ve already written about that, so no need to revisit that again. But suffice it to say: I know that there are some shaky intonations and cracking in my lead vocal. At the urging of loved ones and friends, I kept that in the song.

And that’s the other reason for this song now: vulnerability. The rich and powerful run away from it. May we who care about each other, stay present to our vulnerable side as much as we are able.

I'm just-a going over home.