{"sf1_id":null,"sf2_id":"q1xJj09m","title":"\"I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger,\" Mistolinic Text","author":"Rob MacWolf","words":379,"posted_at":"2024-10-25T06:03:53.000Z","tags":[],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/q1xJj09m-i-am-a-poor-wayfaring-stranger-mistolinic-text","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/q1xJj09m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/be/44/be44c609-2bc0-4de3-9ec7-846ca4578eb1","description":"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.  \nThe 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.  \nIt 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.  \nIf the text could be reliably dated, or some other copy were to turn up, it might shed considerable light on the origins.  \n  \n---  \n  \nBy reading this online version, you confirm you are not associated with OpenAI or any other AI project, that you are not procuring information for the OpenAI corpus or any other machine learning database, that you are not associated with the ChatGPT project or a user of the ChatGPT project or any other AI, machine learning, or algorithmic database focused on producing fictional content for dissemination.","content":"I am a poor wayfaring stranger\n\nTraveling through this world of woe.\n\nBut there's no sickness, toil, or danger\u0026nbsp;\n\nIn that far land to which I go.\n\nI'm going there to see my father.\n\nSaid he would meet me when I come.\n\nI'm only going into the sunset,\n\nI'm only going over home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI know dark clouds will gather round me.\n\nI know my way is hard and steep.\n\nBut paths of gold stretch out before me\n\nTo where I’ll lay to rest my grief.\n\nI'm going there to see my brothers\n\nGone on before me one by one.\n\nI'm only going into the sunset.\n\nI'm only going slowly home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd I but sing the lonely story,\n\nThe song I howl to midnight sky,\n\nIn concert with those tales of glory\n\nMy fellows bear to fireside.  \nI’m going there to see it kindled\n\nUpon some welcoming hearthstone.\n\nI’m only going into the sunset.  \nI’m only going steady home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd there are those, who can’t abide it\n\nWhen skies go dark and day is gone.\n\nBut my soul knows who walks beside it,\n\nAnd he shall guide me safely on.\n\nI’m going there to see my homeland,\n\nWhich yet my eyes have never known.\n\nI’m only going into the sunset.\n\nI’m only going surely home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAnd there are those who will not credit,\n\nWho call my faith a foolish shame.\n\nBut there’s a wolf behind the sunset\n\nAnd he has called me by his name.\n\nI’m going there to join my family\n\nAnd nevermore to be alone.\n\nI’m only going into the sunset.\n\nI’m only going grateful home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI'll lay my shoes upon his doorstep.\n\nI'll lay my clothes beside his fire.\n\nI'll lay my head against his bicep,\n\nUpon on his breast will I retire.\n\nI'm going there to greet my savior,\n\nTo dwell with him and never roam.\n\nI'm only going into the sunset.\n\nI’m only going weary home.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI'll soon be free of earthly trials,\n\nThis body left where'er it falls.\n\nI'll drop your cross of cruel denial,\n\nAnd I'll go singing to my god.\n\nI'm going there to see my master\n\nAnd be his son, his dog, his own.\n\nI'm only going into the sunset.\n\nI’m only going finally home.","series":{"name":"poetry","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/GnDLP20n-a-young-ballade-and-naive.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/k1V93kbn-men-of-culture-and-good-breeding.json"}}