Wayfaring Stranger
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Cash's "Wayfaring Stranger", the singer is a poor traveler who is on a journey through this world below. He is not afraid of sickness, toil, or danger in this life, because he knows that he is going to a better place, a place where his loved ones who have passed away are waiting for him. He is going to see his Father and Mother, and all those who have gone on before him. He has faith, and he knows that there is a bright land to which he will go.


The singer is not naïve, however. While he has faith, he knows that there will be dark clouds that will gather around him in life. He realizes that his way will be hard and steep, but he is looking forward to the beauteous fields that arise before him, in the place where God's redeemed keep their vigil. He is not afraid to die because he knows that when he crosses over Jordan, he will finally be at home.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
I am an impoverished traveler without a fixed home or destination.


Traveling through this world below
I am journeying through this life on Earth, which is full of suffering and strife.


There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
The place I am headed to has no physical or emotional pain or difficulty.


In that bright land to which I go
My ultimate destination is a glowing paradise beyond the veil of human senses.


I'm going there to see my Father
My purpose for traveling is to reunite with my divine Father or creator.


And all my loved ones who've gone on
I am eager to meet with all the people I loved and lost in this life.


I'm just going over Jordan
I am merely crossing the symbolic Jordan river that represents the boundary between life and death.


I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
Although my journey may be challenging, I am aware of the inevitable difficulties that I will face.


I know my way is hard and steep
I acknowledge that my passage will be arduous and treacherous.


But beauteous fields arise before me
Despite the trials I encounter, I am comforted by the promise of an idyllic, bucolic landscape.


Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I will join with other souls who have also been saved by shared faith and keep watch for any signs of danger.


I'm going there to see my Mother
My destination also involves reuniting with my own mother or mother figure.


She said she'd meet me when I come
I am reassured by the knowledge that my loved ones are waiting for me in the afterlife.


So, I'm just going over Jordan
In summary, I am a weary traveler, but I know that my heavenly destination is only a hop, skip, and a jump away.


I'm just going over home
I am simply returning to the place where I belong - my eternal home with my family and my God.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home

Comments from YouTube:

@rva

Classics forever xx

@viernessangriento9814

Rrrrrrrebecca knows

@davidluffman3680

My dad used to sing this song when I was a small child, he died when I was a teenager, I am now on my 50's and hearing this song brought back a flood of emotion and tests....its funny...you never stop missing people you love...it gets easier but a memory can bring it all back!!!!

@cinemaparadiso5402

What does he mean by "Jordan"?

@rec-1792

@Cinema Paradiso Basically the song is about the singer believing that he is approaching death, and believes it to be a good thing. This same question came up on Quora (I was curious on the full meaning too, I didn't have the full context), and an excerpt explains it much better than I could: "In the book of Joshua (chapter 3), the Israelites first enter the promised land when they cross the Jordan River. It became a metaphor for death and entering heaven." Hope that helps 👍

@cinemaparadiso5402

@Recruity Fruity Thank u so much

@williambedingfield6946

@Cinema Paradiso the Jordan river that the bible speaks of

@cinemaparadiso5402

@WILLIAM BEDINGFIELD Thank you!

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@captaingordon

Hauntingly, beautifully sung in the woods of 1917.

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