[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during November 2023]
One of my favourite online musicians at present is Geoffrey Reeves who lives in Portsmouth, England. He is a skilled player of the electric guitar, in a manner that will cause many of those of a certain age to be reminded of the band ‘The Shadows’. In his repertoire, presented on his YouTube channel ‘Geoffers47’, he plays a variety of once-popular songs, including ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ and ‘Like Strangers’.
Wayfaring Stranger is often associated with the spiritual songs of the southern states of the USA and, as with so many such songs, it reflects the difficulties of the present life whilst looking forward to a better one to come.
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
while journeying through this land of woe
But there’s no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go
The popular English lyrics have a number of variations and the original writers are unknown but some sources suggest that the words were derived from a German song dating from 1666 which itself is said to have been inspired by words in the book of Psalms:
For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Psalm 39 v12 [NKJV]
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. Psalm 119 v19 [NIVUK]
In 1960 the Everly Brothers released a song called ‘Like Strangers’ which bemoans a love gone cold, a growing distance between former lovers. Jesus spoke about love growing cold:
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24 v12 [NIVUK]
But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Revelation 2 v4 [BSB]
In 1961 the clarinettist Acker Bilk wrote a melody which became known as ‘Stranger on the Shore’. Lyrics subsequently added to the song describe the sadness of someone left behind as their lover sailed away. In the closing chapter of the gospel by John we see that the disciples of Jesus had a similar feeling, their leader had gone away and they felt bereft. Then John describes an encounter with a stranger on the shore during which the disciples realised that their beloved master had returned.
In 1890 Alexander Borodin composed an opera, ‘Prince Igor’, which featured a number of traditional dances, including the tune which subsequently earned fame as ‘Stranger in Paradise’. In the song the singer seeks confirmation that his search for love is finally satisfied. Jesus spoke about Paradise; he assured a dying thief of his place there and later, after rebuking the church in Ephesus for allowing their love to grow cold, he explained how they too could obtain a place in paradise.[1]
Do you feel like a poor wandering stranger? Do you feel estranged and distant? The stranger on the shore offers a positive alternative. With his help, you can look forward to being welcomed in paradise, not as a stranger but as a home-coming family member.
References:
[1] Luke 23 v43, Revelation 2 v7.
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Last week’s reflection: Saints Alive!
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
Thank you Steve, I remember some of these songs and you remind us that we need not be strangers, but part of God’s family looking
forward to a place in paradise.