The Wayfaring Stranger
For Solo Male Voice and a cappella TTBB Choir or
Solo Female Voice and a cappella SSAA Choir (2020)
Duration: c. 5 mins
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Score Video (TTBB Version)
Score Video (SSAA Version)
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More Information
This setting of the American folk song The Wayfaring Stranger was composed over the course of a week in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A few nights after seeing the film “1917” during which a British soldier sings this song to his fellow soldiers before heading into a battle, I had a dream where I was singing the song in a choir, creating this rhythmic, hocketed and hummed accompaniment, reminiscent of African-American work songs, for a soloist who sang the words. I woke up and was intent on recreating this effect by completing a setting of this song. This setting is also inspired by Percy Grainger’s setting of the English folk song “Brigg Fair” for solo high male voice and mixed chorus, particularly in his use of making the choir hum as an accompanist for the soloist singing the words.
SSAA version:
Winner, 2021 Gregg Smith Choral Competition, Syracuse University
Premiered April 27, 2022 by the Syracuse University Crouse Choral, Wendy Moy-director, in Syracuse, NY, USA.
TTBB version: Not yet premiered
What People are Saying
“This is pretty badass - the writing and the performance!”
“A) The chordal liberty taken with the arrangement was distracting, if one was expecting the basis melody and harmony foundational there on. B) That said, for an independent structure informed by the original, I’m very impressed.”
Text
I am a poor wayfaring stranger a trav’lin through this world of woe,
Yet there’s not sickness, toil or danger in that fair world to which I go
I’m goin’ there to see my father, I’m goin’ there no more to roam,
I’m going goin’ over Jordan, I’m only goin’ over home.
I know dark clouds will gather ‘round me, I know my way is rough and steep,
Yet golden fields lie there before me, Where weary eyes no more will weep
I’m goin’ there to see my mother, She said she’d meet me when I come.
I’m only goin’ over Jordan, I’m only goin’ over home.
I’ll soon be free from every trial, This form shall rest beneath the sod
I’ll drop the cross of self denial and enter in the house of God.
I’m goin’ there to see my savior, I’m goin’ there no more to roam,
I’m only goin’ over Jordan, I’m only goin’ over home.