Wayfaring Stranger

I think that at the beginning of the song the wayfaring stranger is still living, but at the end of his life, thus the rusty, static sound of the music. Then, during the intermission, is while he is dead, waiting for judgement in Hades. Then, when the music starts up again, he is in the afterlife, on his journey to the Gates of Heaven to be judged by God.

I forgot to add this part: On his journey to Heaven, the wayfaring stranger knows he has lived a righteous life, and he knows he will spend eternity in Heaven, thus the ore upbeat sound to the music. But the deep music in the backgroud, a cello I think, as well as the ominous outro, represents his uneasiness and doubt, thinking maybe he wasn't good enough to enter Paradise.

The Jordan river's in Michigan, but here I think we're hearing about the Jordan River in Western Asia that includes the Sea of Galilee. Most Appalachian Folk songs where brought here from Europe and date back to the Middle Ages. These songs are the stuff of traveling bards. When I first heard 16 H.P. I mistook the religiosity of the music as being ironic or tongue-in-cheek. The first time I saw David Eugene Edwards preform live, I realized I was righteously mistaken. This song's about being right with God. Not with the church, not with the congregation, but with God. No earthly man can tell you what's in your heart and death will prove your heart true.

This song is a cover, the origin is unknown and very old, but it is a Christian song about someone who is dying and looks back on all the trials he had/will have and looks forward to the rewards he will receive in heaven. No Hades I'm afraid (greek mythology).