"I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger," Mistolinic Text
Odd variant of a traditional song. The more commonly known version is already difficult to classify, whether it belongs to the category of Folk Song or Hymn, or perhaps Spiritual if indeed that is not already the space where the previous two categories overlap. This variation further muddies the water by seemingly being dedicated to another deity altogether, though which one it does not specify.
The text was discovered in a cache of one-time suppressed literature found behind a false front wall in a farmhouse in the environs of Apogee Bay, during renovations in the hands of a new owner. The previous owner has professed no knowledge of it, but as other materials in the cache significantly predate that owner's occupancy, this is hardly surprising. No attempts to identify or contact the family of the next-previous occupant have borne fruit.
It is unclear whether this is a christian text, adapted to pagan gods, or a pagan text adapted for christian practice. Certainly the latter is not unknown, historically. The style of lyric, however, and the tune they seem meant to fit both postdate the arrival christianity by some time.
If the text could be reliably dated, or some other copy were to turn up, it might shed considerable light on the origins.
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I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world of woe.
But there's no sickness, toil, or danger
In that far land to which I go.
I'm going there to see my father.
Said he would meet me when I come.
I'm only going into the sunset,
I'm only going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather round me.
I know my way is hard and steep.
But paths of gold stretch out before me
To where I’ll lay to rest my grief.
I'm going there to see my brothers
Gone on before me one by one.
I'm only going into the sunset.
I'm only going slowly home.
And I but sing the lonely story,
The song I howl to midnight sky,
In concert with those tales of glory
My fellows bear to fireside.
I’m going there to see it kindled
Upon some welcoming hearthstone.
I’m only going into the sunset.
I’m only going steady home.
And there are those, who can’t abide it
When skies go dark and day is gone.
But my soul knows who walks beside it,
And he shall guide me safely on.
I’m going there to see my homeland,
Which yet my eyes have never known.
I’m only going into the sunset.
I’m only going surely home.
And there are those who will not credit,
Who call my faith a foolish shame.
But there’s a wolf behind the sunset
And he has called me by his name.
I’m going there to join my family
And nevermore to be alone.
I’m only going into the sunset.
I’m only going grateful home.
I'll lay my shoes upon his doorstep.
I'll lay my clothes beside his fire.
I'll lay my head against his bicep,
Upon on his breast will I retire.
I'm going there to greet my savior,
To dwell with him and never roam.
I'm only going into the sunset.
I’m only going weary home.
I'll soon be free of earthly trials,
This body left where'er it falls.
I'll drop your cross of cruel denial,
And I'll go singing to my god.
I'm going there to see my master
And be his son, his dog, his own.
I'm only going into the sunset.
I’m only going finally home.