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 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.