Poor Wayfaring Stranger (Piano Solo)

This is a digital PDF Sheet music for the song “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” from the piano solo book “Sacred Piano Hymns 6” by Jason Tonioli.

Side Notes:

I’d heard this tune sung by many people but had a hard time finding any piano solo that I liked, so I decided to write my own arrangement of this hymn.

This tune is a well-known American folk and gospel song that likely originated in the early 19th century. There are many variations of the lyrics and many versions that have been published over time. The song talks about times of hardship and the end of a person’s life in this world. The melody is haunting and I ended up singing this in my head for several weeks. As I worked on this arrangement and sang the traditional lyrics to myself, I felt it needed an additional verse.

I added a 3rd verse of lyrics that I felt would complete the song and story. After singing about going home to be with our mother and father who would be waiting for us once we passed to the next life, I thought these lyrics fitting. “Throughout my life, I’ve met good people. I’ve made good friends along the way. Though I’m a poor, wayfaring stranger, I know I’ve never been alone. I’m goin’ home, to see my Savior! I’m goin’ home to see my friends. My family’s surely waitin’ for me, when I feel ready to go home. They’ll be there when I go back home.”

I hope these words can bring some comfort to someone who has lost a loved one. I know the hole that is left when a loved one passes on and hope this addition to this amazing song would help bring peace and comfort to someone.