Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Wayfaring Stranger
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While traveling through this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil or 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 know dark clouds will gather around me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
I'm going there to my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
Emmylou Harris's song "Wayfaring Stranger" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that captures the essence of the soul's journey towards death and the longing for the afterlife. The lyrics articulate the experience of a "poor wayfaring stranger" who is traveling through the world with all its sorrows and hardships. The traveler's ultimate destination is a bright world where there is no pain, suffering, or danger.
The song paints a vivid picture of the traveler's journey to the promised land, where he or she will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before. The traveler is going to see his father and mother, who have already made the journey. The imagery of "going over Jordan" is used to refer to crossing over from this life to the next, which is home to the wayfaring stranger.
The song's message is one of hope and faith, of the belief that there is a better place waiting for us after we leave this world. Despite the dark clouds that gather around us and the rough and steep path we must travel, there is beauty and redemption waiting for us on the other side. The song's simplicity and soulful melody make it a timeless classic that resonates with people of different generations and cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
I am a wanderer with no place to call home
While traveling through this world of woe
While journeying through this challenging world
Yet there's no sickness, toil or danger
The bright world I'm heading to has no pain, exhaustion, or peril
In that bright world to which I go
The world I long to reach is full of radiance
I'm going there to see my father
I'm on my way to reunite with my dad
I'm going there no more to roam
I won't wander anymore after I arrive
I'm only going over Jordan
I am moving forward to cross over the Jordan River
I'm only going over home
I'm only heading towards my heavenly home
I know dark clouds will gather around me
I'm aware that gloomy circumstances might envelop me
I know my way is rough and steep
I understand that my journey may be difficult and dangerous
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
However, there are beautiful fields right in front of me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
Where God's saved children are watching over me
I'm going there to my mother
I am heading to meet my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
She is waiting to reunite with me
I'm only going over Jordan
I am only on my way to cross the Jordan River
I'm only going over home
I'm only heading towards my heavenly home
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q
আমি অপরিচিত দরিদ্র পথচারী বাবাকে দেখতে জর্ডানের উপর দিয়ে সেই আলোকিত পৃথিবীতে যাচ্ছি 😢
Lyrics:
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling through this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil or 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 around me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
I'm going there to my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
@littleLily247
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling through this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil or 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 around me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
I'm going there to my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
@herbertjohnson5047
I've heard about fifty versions of this song, some good and some should not been made, but I'll take this version over and above all others. BEAUTIFUL!!!
@frankspencer6935
Her early voice was magical. There might be versions with better musical accompaniments but I don't think anyone can sing this so well.
@jasonsmith4291
My aunt just died he told me how to play poker and blackjack introduce me to music took it to my first concert they were supposed to play this version of her funeral will they play the Johnny Cash version. Not hating on Johnny my aunt wanted this version.
@leomanaray7690
this song reminds me when my father died.
@jayaroesty1476
i would just have to include Rhiannon Giddens version ,and call it a draw
@mikecross137
Love it
@curvenger
Emmylou is perfest in everyway, her voice, her appearance, her character, her figure. This song is also the best version, hands down.
@aiemwyrdh8363
Her voice is that chilling wind that gives me comfort when the weather is hot and I'm alone in a desert
@joycehoward5193
Bless you sister!Come here when feeling down
@davidirving8669
This is what an angel sounds like, looks like and acts like. I could listen to Emmylou sing the phone book and be inspired. Still.