Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
I Am a Pilgrim
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traveling through this wearisome land
And I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not (good Lordy it's not) not made by hand
I got a mother, a sister and a brother
Who have gone to that sweet home
And I am determined to go and see them, good LordOver on (good Lordy over on) that distant shore
As I go down to that river Jordan
Just to bathe my weary soul
If I could touch but just the hem of His garment, good Lord
I believe (good Lordy I believe) that it would make me whole
Now when I'm dead, laying in my coffin
All of my friends all gather round
They can say that he's just laying there sleeping, good Lord
Sweet peace (Lordy sweet peace) his soul is found
The lyrics of The Byrds’ “I Am a Pilgrim” speak to the idea of being a pilgrim and a stranger, traveling through a land that can often weigh us down. The pilgrim in the song is searching for something more, something beyond the physical world. He knows that he has a home, a place of comfort and rest, waiting for him in the afterlife, a place not made by human hands.
The song creates a sense of longing for the home that is waiting for us, and for the loved ones who have already made the journey to the other side. The imagery of the river of Jordan represents the pilgrim's hope that by cleansing his soul in the waters of the river, he will be able to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, and finally realize his ultimate goal of entering heaven.
Ultimately, “I Am a Pilgrim” is a song about faith, perseverance, and the hope of the eternal world that awaits after this earthly life. The song encourages us to stay on the path, no matter how difficult it may become, and trust that there is a better place waiting for us beyond the great divide.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
I am a traveler and an outsider in this world
Traveling through this wearisome land
Traveling through this difficult and tiresome journey called life
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
I belong to a heavenly city and am looking forward to going there
And it's not, not made by hand
This city is not built by human hands but rather by God
I've got a mother, sister and a brother
I have loved ones who have already passed away
Who have gone this way before
Who have already gone to the afterlife
I am determined to go and see them, good Lord
I am determined to join them in heaven
For they're on that other shore
They are in the afterlife, which is like another shore compared to this life
I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan
I am going to a place that symbolizes a passage to the afterlife
Just to bathe my wearisome soul
I feel tired and weighed down by this journey and need to refresh my spirit
If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good Lord
If I can just have an encounter with God
Then I know he'd take me home
Then I am sure that God will bring me to my heavenly home
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROGER MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimihendrix6969
I am not crying or laughing to this album.....I just got something in my eye, aye?
The US of A certainly pumps out art, be it audio, written, movie, or any format.
And they hit the bullseye regularly.
Like it or not, western culture is full of U.S. influences.
Personally, i'm okay with it.
And if you are not, then you're gonna love a cccp, Yen based new world order.....
Because i'm a truck store driving man.........
@jfess57
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not, not made by hand
I've got a mother, sister and a brother
Who have gone this way before
I am determined to go and see them, good Lord
For they're on that other shore
I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan
Just to bathe my wearisome soul
If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good Lord
Then I know he'd take me home
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not, not made by hand
@johnschroeter9743
I Am a Pilgrim
Song by The Byrds
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I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not, not made by hand
I've got a mother, sister and a brother
Who have gone this way before
I am determined to go and see them, good Lord
For they're on that other shore
I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan
Just to bathe my wearisome soul
If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good Lord
Then I know he'd take me home
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not, not made by hand
@joergjendis8244
Sweetest and probably the best Country-Rock album ever recorded by any group. Belongs to the best albums the Byrds released during their career.
@peterwalsh5068
Couldn’t really call it a Byrds album though can you. These are serious Nashville session musicians. I agree though this is one of the greatest country (Americana) records ever made. Gram was off the chart talented but a spoiled.
@joestephan1111
Gram Parson made it what it is. Yes, he was a troubled individual but he was a musical genius.
@johnarnold8941
@@joestephan1111 The word genius is tossed around too lightly. He was really talented and loved country a lot, and really young.
@joestephan1111
@@johnarnold8941
Gram Parsons was a one on a kind who left a major influence on no matter he wrote & played. He also influenced and gave a start to a countless list of musicians I have been listening to since day one. Yes, Gram Parsons was a M Genius
@johnarnold8941
@@joestephan1111 I'm glad he got the byrds to make this album.
@lightlyone
Chris Hillman is the real deal, perfect voice for this music. Saw him do this, in the Sweetheart tour with him, McGuinn and Marty Stuart a few yrs ago. Just about choked me up a few times.
@timhalley6987
Amazing. Still moves me as much as when I first heard it as a 16 year old in 68. Makes me tear up now.
@jimihendrix6969
I am not crying or laughing to this album.....I just got something in my eye, aye?
The US of A certainly pumps out art, be it audio, written, movie, or any format.
And they hit the bullseye regularly.
Like it or not, western culture is full of U.S. influences.
Personally, i'm okay with it.
And if you are not, then you're gonna love a cccp, Yen based new world order.....
Because i'm a truck store driving man.........
@ryangentry5922
50 years and still as good as day #1