The stranger in “Wayfaring” unmasked

For me, there’s more than one “Wayfaring Stranger”. Let’s see if I can explain.

Where we’ve been

The story so far is that I recorded throw-away “scratch” tracks while I had a cold. Then, I decided to keep those vocal comps. Next, I explained a bit about why I chose this cover song as the first preview of my upcoming folksong album.

But then as I pondered this song, I realized there is another reason for singing this song now. There is another layer to the vulnerability this song calls out from me. And that has to do with the word “stranger”.

Who Is The Stranger?

As the singer of the song, I am the stranger. My self-identity is that there is something a bit “off” in me about my wayfaring wanderings. I am aware of the oddity that is my life. And now, I’m singing about it.

Of course, everything can have multiple layers of meaning. So, it’s not just about this self-identification. This song also connects with how we have ignored and abused the stranger in our lands.

Instead of hospitality, we have chosen to treat the visitor like a second class citizen or much worse. No one has to search for what I’m talking about. It’s in the headlines every day. Seeing foreigners being deported and abused is our chance to look for a more human approach.

Am I The Stranger? Or Are You?

So that’s how I choosing to see the “stranger” in this song. It’s a call to our common humanity. Strip away bank accounts and societal status. We quickly find that we are more the same than we are different.

Seeking understanding of people who are not like me is not easy. And still I am called to do it. Will you join me in being strangers together?