"Wayfaring Stranger" (also called "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" and "Wayfaring Pilgrim") is a well-known traditional American folk and gospel song, Roud 3339. It likely dates to the early 19th century and is about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. Here is my cover of it with the Yazoo Ramblers, which I posted to the channel on May 29, 2026.
Many versions of the lyrics exist, and the Western Writers of America picked it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Why I picked it
Who else is on an odyssey? There is no home to go back to. It's destroyed. I'll see y'all in heaven.
Credits
- Song: Wayfaring Stranger
- Original artist: Traditional
- Written by: Traditional / public domain
- Played by: Cal Carter and friends: Gary Geurts, Stephen Rashbaum, Paul Teal and Bob Young
Session notes
- Posted to YouTube: May 29, 2026
- Length: 3:27
- Recorded in the garage in Milton, GA, at my May 29, 2026 practice session (it is in my "Yazoo Ramblers 5/29/2026 Practice" playlist).
Join the ramble
Song Stories is where I share the story behind each cover on Cal Carter's Yazoo Ramblers Channel. I record the covers in my garage in Milton, GA, and I put the story and the credits here. If this song means something to you, tell me about it in the YouTube comments. I'd like to hear it.
If you are new here, the playlist below has the rest of the Yazoo Ramblers covers, and my music page has them all in one place.
Keep rambling
- Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NSQwLHx4Sw8
- More of my covers: https://www.gulfshoreslife.com/the-yazoo-ramblers-band-covers
- Playlist: Yazoo Rambler Covers - Americana & Blues Classics Covers: The Yazoo Ramblers Sessions (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYy11pUoiVYXStCbXs7Th_FcOKuj5TMR)
- Previous song story: Wildflowers
- Next song story: Take Me Home, Country Roads
Be a Rambler: subscribe to youtube.com/@yazooramblers