After a short marriage which ended in 1992, Griffin began playing in Boston coffee houses and was scouted by A&M Records who signed Griffin on the strength of her demo tape. This resulted in her debut album Living With Ghosts -- a set of demos featuring only Ms. Griffin and her guitar -- which garnered critical acclaim in 1996. Her sophomore album, Flaming Red, demonstrated a more rocking, full-band sound. The ill-fated Silver Bell album was never released by her record label, however, and the label terminated her recording contract shortly after that. Many of the songs from Silver Bell were re-recorded for subsequent albums.
After switching to ATO Records Griffin brought out three albums in rapid succession: 1000 Kisses and Impossible Dream, which were both nominated for Grammy awards, and A Kiss in Time, a well-received live album. In March 2007, she released Children Running Through to great critical acclaim.
She has penned a wide variety of songs - Long Ride Home, Top of the World, Tony, Forgiveness, Chief, Mad Mission--that touch her listeners deeply. A number of high profile artists have covered Patty's songs, including the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, The Wreckers, Solomon Burke and pop star Kelly Clarkson; these have brought her exposure in the more mainstream pop and country worlds outside of folk music circles. Upon hearing Solomon Burke's cover of one of her tunes, she said she almost didn't feel worthy of singing it anymore.
Following her collaboration with Mavis Staples on a tune for a compilation album Peter York, suggested Griffin make an album of gospel songs. Griffin agreed on the condition that Buddy Miller, a friend and bandmate, produced the record. Downtown Church was recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with a 2010 release date. The album features long-time friends Buddy and Julie Miller, as well as Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris. It also includes songs by Hank Williams, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, and "All Creatures of Our God and King," a song accredited to St. Francis of Assisi.
Griffin featured on Robert Plant's solo album, Band of Joy, which was released in September 2010
Griffin's album American Kid was released on May 7, 2013
Wayfaring Stranger
Patty Griffin 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 to Jordan
I'm only going over home
I know dark clouds will hang 'round 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 see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
Traditional Hymn
Patty Griffin's rendition of the classic hymn "Wayfaring Stranger" is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective interpretation of life's journey. The song speaks of the struggles and hardships we all experience as we navigate through this world, but also of the hope we have for a brighter future in the next life. The singer identifies as a "poor wayfaring stranger," a term that connotes someone who is lost, lonely and wandering through life without a clear direction or purpose. Despite this, the singer finds comfort in knowing that there is a better place beyond this world, a place free of sickness, toil, and danger, where they will be reunited with their loved ones who have already passed on.
The lyrics reflect on the inevitability of mortality and the hope for a peaceful afterlife. The singer is aware that dark clouds will inevitably gather around them as they journey through life, but chooses to remain optimistic about the beautiful fields that lie ahead. The reference to Jordan is a metaphor for the metaphorical river that separates life and death, and the singer acknowledges that their ultimate goal is to cross over this river and be reunited with their loved ones. The chorus booms with hope as the singer declares that they are only going over home, a sentiment that captures the idea of the cyclical nature of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a poor wayfaring stranger
I am a traveler who is destitute and unknown
While traveling through this world of woe
As I journey through this miserable world
Yet there's no sickness, toil, or danger
But in the bright world ahead, there will be no pain, labor or distress
In that bright world to which I go
I am destined for a blissful afterlife
I'm going there to see my father
I am journeying to reunite with my deceased father
I'm going there no more to roam
I have no intention of traveling aimlessly again
I'm only going over to Jordan
I am solely crossing the Jordan River
I'm only going over home
I am simply traveling towards my eternal home
I know dark clouds will hang 'round me,
I am aware that difficult times will come my way
I know my way is rough and steep
I understand my path will be arduous and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
But I have faith that lovely meadows await me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
Where the believers watch over their redeemed souls
I'm going there to see my mother
I am journeying to meet my deceased mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
She promised to greet me when I arrive
I'm only going over Jordan
I am solely crossing the Jordan River
I'm only going over home
I am simply traveling towards my eternal home
Contributed by Samantha F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MrTValleyguy
Love this
Eric Hogan
Great song except i think it is too much rock.
Beekay Kirchner
Nice follow of Joan Baez.