He was born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by jazz, blues, and gospel music. In the 1930s, as a teenager, he was a member of "The Jubilee Boys" and performed in Chicago churches.
He worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1943, he was hired by the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He toured with Hampton for several years but never achieved breakthrough success.
He rose to national prominence as the singer for Count Basie's Orchestra in 1954. He remained with Basie for several years. "Everyday I have the Blues" is his biggest hit.
After leaving the Basie band, Williams continued to have a successful career working with his own jazz combo. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the band.
Bill Cosby cast Williams as his father-in-law "Grandpa Al" Hanks in a recurring role on the 1980s sit-com The Cosby Show.
Williams enjoyed a successful career and worked regularly until his death. He died at age 80, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joe Williams shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra who was also born Dec. 12, three years before Williams
Wayfaring Stranger
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A travelin' through this land of woe
And there's no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go
I'm goin' home to see my mother
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I am just a goin' over Jordan
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
A travelin' through this land of woe
And there is no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go
The lyrics of Wayfaring Stranger by Joe Williams are about a person who expresses their sense of displacement and the feeling of being a wayfarer. They describe themselves as a "poor wayfaring stranger" who is "traveling through this land of woe." This can be interpreted as the hardships and struggles of everyday life. However, the lyrics also express a sense of hope and optimism towards a brighter future. The person singing the song looks ahead to a world free from illness, toil, and danger. This bright land of hope is described as their ultimate destination towards which they are journeying.
The song also speaks of the desire to return home and reunite with loved ones. The singer longs to see their mother again, and they express the desire to settle down and not wander any more. The metaphor of crossing the River Jordan is used to symbolize the journey to the other world, which is a common theme in the spirituals and gospel music.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
I am a humble traveler, wandering aimlessly through this life.
A travelin' through this land of woe
I'm moving through this world, full of sadness and hardship.
And there's no sickness, toil or danger
But in the bright land I'm going to, there will be no sickness, work or fear.
In that bright land to which I go
I'm looking forward to a wonderful place that's waiting for me.
I'm goin' home to see my mother
I'm on my way back to my original home to see my mother.
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I'm on my way back to my original home, never to wander again.
I am just a goin' over Jordan
I'm crossing over a symbolic river (Jordan River) that separates life and death.
I am just a goin' over home
I'm finally going to my true home in the afterlife.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jean-marc Robbio
This has always been my favorite version I have the vynil from way back. I like the Emilou Harris version but this one is so much better, the phrasing....wow