The album was produced by Tim McTague, guitarist of the Christian hardcore/metal band Underoath and features himself and Aaron Gillespie (drummer and singer of Underoath) on vocals in the song Then They Will Know. McTague also plays guitar in the song What Am I.
Wayfaring Stranger
Preson Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traveling through this world alone
And there's no sickness toil or danger
In that great land to which I go
I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home, no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I know dark clouds will gather round me
I know my way is dark and steep
But beautiful fields lie out before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm coming home sisters and brothers!
Rise up to meet me when I come home
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I will be free from every trial
My body sleeps in the church yard
I'll drop the cross of self-denial
And enter on my great reward
I'm going home to see my savior.
To sing His praise forevermore
I am reborn through resurrection
My Jesus bore it in my soul
The song "Wayfaring Stranger" by Preson Phillips speaks about the journey of the singer as a poor wayfaring stranger in this world. The singer travels alone with no sickness, toil, or danger in the great land to which he goes. He is going home to see his Father, not to roam or wander anymore. On his way, he knows that dark clouds will gather around him, and the path is steep and dark. However, beautiful fields lie out before him, where God's redeemed keep their vigils.
The singer is excited to go back home to see his siblings, and he is only going over Jordan, which refers to crossing the Jordan River to reach the promised land. The song speaks about being free from every trial, with the body sleeping in the churchyard. The singer is dropping the cross of self-denial and entering on his great reward. He is coming home to sing praises to Jesus forevermore, reborn through resurrection, as Jesus bore it in his soul.
Overall, the song talks about spiritual and physical journey, the struggles in life, and the hope to reach the final destination where there is no more toil or danger, only peace and joy in the presence of his creator. The song's message is about hope, perseverance, and longing for eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a poor way faring stranger
I am a traveler with no permanent place of dwelling or any possession
Traveling through this world alone
Traversing across the earth without any companionship
And there's no sickness toil or danger
I will not face any harm, labor, or disease
In that great land to which I go
I am heading towards a magnificent territory
I'm going home to see my Father
I am embarking on a journey towards home to meet my father
I'm going home, no more to roam
Once I reach home, I will no longer wander
I'm only going over Jordan
My destination is on the other side of Jordan
I'm only going over home
I am heading to my real abode
I know dark clouds will gather round me
I am well aware that troubles will approach me
I know my way is dark and steep
I understand the path towards my goal will be challenging
But beautiful fields lie out before me
However, there are gorgeous landscapes ahead of me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
Where the redeemed people of God are watchful
I'm coming home sisters and brothers!
I am informing my siblings that I am returning home
Rise up to meet me when I come home
I assume that they will greet me on my arrival
I will be free from every trial
I will no longer be subjected to any testing
My body sleeps in the church yard
My physical body is laid to rest in the burial ground
I'll drop the cross of self-denial
I will no longer have to bear the burden of denying myself
And enter on my great reward
I will finally gain my well-deserved prize
I'm going home to see my savior.
I am traveling towards home to meet my savior
To sing His praise forevermore
To express gratitude towards Him for all eternity
I am reborn through resurrection
I am reborn due to the process of coming back to life
My Jesus bore it in my soul
My savior made it possible for me to gain inner peace
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.