I'm just a poor wayfarin' stranger
Travelin' through this world of woe
There's no sickness toll nor sorrow
In that bright world to which I go
(Traitor to the creator)
I'm going there to see my father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm just a goin' over Jordan
I'm just a goin' over home
(Traitor to the creator)

Yo
See I'm a concrete buffalo soldier
I gotta chip it's like boulder in my shoulder
Look in my eyes and you can see a red marble
Like Nostradamus I'm the promise of tomorrow
Traveling the city with my mexican cargo
Cotton mouth; I take a dry swallow
To the nearest corner watering hole
The bartender with the deed for my soul
Satisfaction no I can't get no
Lotsa bad habits that I need to control
Recite the psalms but no emancipation
Church for food and liquor stores for salvation
Some day I'll make
It home to see my father
He saw the man who shot the coal miner's daughter
And if I had a dime for every gamble I risked
I could buy a diamond for the woman I miss ya see

I'm just a poor wayfarin' stranger
Ya check with me, ya checking in with danger
I'm just a poor wayfarin' stranger
Roaming the streets seeking Jesus in a manger

I'm goin' there to see my Mother
She said she'll meet me when I come
I'm just a goin' over Jordan I'm just a goin' over home
Over home
(River Jordan. Jordan River. Roll River Jordan, roll on)

Gee ain't it funny, how time slips away
I wanna rewind the tape to see my life replay
I soak up the sun - just as a reminder
That I was born a sick sidewinder
Call me a vagrant, no machine to read your fax
I'll never pledge allegiance to your blood sweat and taxes
Don't ever mistake me being docile for contentment
Don't ever mistake my anger for resentment
It's just a calm before the storm, that's why I'm crying
But you always mistake an uprising for a race riot
You could take my life, but there's no escape
Cos you can't shoot your way through the pearly gates
So swing low sweet Cadilac, coming for to carry me home
Swing low pink Cadilac, steppin' over Jordon I roam
Ya see, I'm just a poor wayfarin' stranger
Ya check with me, ya checking in with danger
I'm just a poor wayfarin' stranger
Roaming the streets seeking Jesus in a manger

I'm goin' there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm just a goin' over Jordan
I'm just a goin' over home

(When the road is calling yonder
When the road is calling yonder
When the road is calling yonder
When the road is calling yonder)

I'm goin' there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
(Traitor to the creator)
I'm just a goin' over Jordan
I'm just a goin' over home
Just a goin' over home


Lyrics submitted by azkm

Wayfaring Stranger song meanings
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    General Comment

    Traditional song. Joan Osborne sings the refrain.

    azkmon May 01, 2008   Link

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