This arrangement of Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Daniel Lee Gibby is for 5-7 octaves handbells. AGEHR / Handbell Musicians of America Difficulty Level 4+.
The arrangement follows the journey of the stranger through haunting reflection and joyful ebbs and flows, with sections of engaging chromatic harmonization, dynamics, and themes that add interesting contrast throughout the progression of the song.
At the end of the piece, the song hauntingly ends with notes of the dominant chord, but with other trailing notes that fade out into the sunset like the poor wayfaring stranger walking into the night.
Song Preview – Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Daniel Gibby
Poor Wayfaring Stranger – Folksong lyrics which inspired this handbells arrangement:
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger, I’m trav’ling through this world below;
There is no sickness, toil, nor danger, In that bright world to which I go.
I’m going there to see my father, I’m going there no more to roam;
I’m just a going over Jordan, I’m just a going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather o’er me, I know my pathway’s rough and steep;
But golden fields lie out before me, Where weary eyes no more shall weep.
I’m going there to see my mother, She said she’d meet me when I come;
I’m just a going over Jordan, I’m just a going over home.
I want to sing salvations story, In concert with the blood-washed band;
I want to wear a crown of glory, When I get home to that good land.
I’m going there to see my brothers, They passed before me one by one;
I’m just a going over Jordan, I’m just a going over home.
I’ll soon be free from every trial, This form will rest beneath the sod;
I’ll drop the cross of self-denial, And enter in my home with God.
I’m going there to see my Saviour, Who shed for me His precious blood;
I’m just a going over Jordan, I’m just a going over home.