Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger
Kyle Pederson (2022)
Voicing: SATB, with 1-4 vocal solos
Accompaniment: a cappella
Text: traditional text of Wayfaring Stranger and I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
LYRICS:
I am a poor, wayfaring stranger
Trav’lin’ through this world alone
There is no sickness, toil, or danger
In that fair land to which I go.
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me.
Program Note:
The scholarship on the origin of these songs isn't entirely settled, but most researchers believe both to be African American spirituals. As such, they are born of the horrible oppression of slavery, speaking to the deepest pain. As a testament to their transcendent power, these pieces continue to speak today and find resonance in hardships of varied circumstance--war dislocation, immigration crisis, pandemic, poverty, injustice, isolation.
Pairing these two songs together allows these beautiful texts and evocative melodies to interact--sharing not only their expression of sorrow, but also their assurance of hope...inviting the listener to have faith that current hardships will not be the last word.
Performance Note:
Opening Narration options:
They can be performed as written, with basses whispering the provided text in unison.
Same as #1, but individual basses speak the text.
Craft your own narration to be read under the SAT humming in those measures.
Omit all narration, and have basses join (lightly) the tenors in humming
I am a stranger in a strange land. How long must we cry out? How long must we wait? How long will we weep? How long will you hide your face? How long, O Lord? How long?
Soloists: Up to 4 soloist parts are provided (1 baritone, 2 soprano, 1 tenor). The piece may be performed with any combination of these solos, including one tenor or soprano soloist throughout.