In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wandering through this world of woe,
And there's no sickness, no toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go.
I'm going there to meet my mother,
She said she'd meet me when I come.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
I'll soon be free from every trial,
My body asleep in the old graveyard.
I'll drop the cross of self denial,
And enter on my great reward.
I'm going there to meet my father,
I'm going there no more to roam.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
Wandering through this world of woe,
And there's no sickness, no toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go.
I'm going there to see my sister,
She said she'd meet me when I come.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
Joan Baez's song "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is a powerful and moving expression of the wanderer's journey through life. The first stanza sets the stage for the song, describing the wayfaring stranger's struggle through this "world of woe." Yet, there is a silver lining as the song continues, doing away with all fear and pain in that "bright land to which I go." This is a strong reference to death and the idea that beyond life is an otherworldly destination.
The second stanza emphasizes the idea that the wayfarer's journey through life is a test, one that he or she must endure through self-denial and sacrifice. The phrase "drop the cross of self denial" is particularly vivid, illustrating the ever-present burden that the wanderer carries with them. Yet, there is a sense of hope as the song progresses, climaxing at the end of the verse with the wayfarer's ultimate reward in that "bright land" that awaits them.
The final stanza reinforces the wanderer's faith in something beyond the earthly realm, including references to meeting family members who have passed on before them. The repetition of "I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home" highlights the wayfaring stranger's hope, determination, and faith in the ultimate destination. The song resonates with those who have faith in a higher power, and those who are struggling through life's obstacles, looking towards an afterlife that is free from all hardship and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
I am a traveler without riches or a permanent home
Wandering through this world of woe,
Roaming aimlessly through a world of suffering and hardship
And there's no sickness, no toil or danger
In the afterlife, there is no pain, suffering, or risk of harm
In that bright land to which I go.
In the heavenly realm that awaits me
I'm going there to meet my mother,
To be reunited with my mother upon my arrival
She said she'd meet me when I come.
She promised to be there upon my arrival
I'm only going over Jordan,
I am simply crossing the Jordan River into the afterlife
I'm only going over home.
Returning to my eternal home in the afterlife
I'll soon be free from every trial,
I will soon be released from all earthly struggles and hardships
My body asleep in the old graveyard.
My physical body will rest in the cemetery
I'll drop the cross of self denial,
I will no longer have to make sacrifices or deny myself in pursuit of righteousness
And enter on my great reward.
And receive my just reward in the afterlife
I'm going there to meet my father,
To reunite with my father in the afterlife
I'm going there no more to roam.
Never again to wander aimlessly
I'm only going over Jordan,
Just crossing the Jordan River
I'm only going over home.
Going straight to my eternal home
I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
Still a destitute traveler
Wandering through this world of woe,
Continuing to roam through a world full of hardships and misery
And there's no sickness, no toil or danger
A reminder that the afterlife is free of suffering
In that bright land to which I go.
Where I will find happiness and peace
I'm going there to see my sister,
To reunite with my sister in the hereafter
She said she'd meet me when I come.
She promised to be there when I arrive
I'm only going over Jordan,
Just crossing the river
I'm only going over home.
Going back to my eternal home
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: DP, Linda Williams, Robin Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
1Chimonger
"Wayfaring Stranger"
-
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Wandering thru this world of woe
And there's no sickness, no toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go
-
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 me
-
I'll soon be free of every trial,
my body asleep, in the old graveyard.
I'll drop the cross of self-denial,
And enter on my Great Reward.
-
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 meet my sister,
she said she'd meet me when I come.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
-
Joan Baez repeated the 1st verse instead of the one with dark clouds. There are other verses, I think, rattling around rough country roads; each singer does it their way.
Eleonora Hutiray
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go
I'm going there to see my Father
And all my loved ones who've gone on
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is hard and steep
But beauteous fields arise 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
So, I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
Wayfaring Stranger dalszöveg © Public Domain
taddyd1
Epic version. Ms Baez is always in the service of the lyric.
Lawrence Fiata
There are many good renditions of this song. This is one of them.
Cirlene silva
Simplismente "Joan Baez" é a minha musa de todos os tempos.😍😍😍😊
Laura G Photos and Film
Her music is timeless ....
Odisséia Evolutiva
Muito bom! Gostei demais :)
Theresa May
My favorite version of this song all time.
Michael Clendenen
I remember a dvd of Joan and she always had a voice that runs chills on my soul.AMEN
David Kostel
Joan has heart and can express it in her songs. This is very moving for me.
Cain Thomas
@Ruben Niko yea, I have been using instaflixxer for months myself =)
Ruben Niko
you prolly dont give a shit but if you're stoned like me atm then you can watch pretty much all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been watching with my gf for the last months xD