Wayfaring Stranger Live | Made of Ale Sessions | The Longest Johns

Welcome to the fifth of our live recording sessions called the “Made of Ale” sessions (pun intended). We recorded at “The Forge” in Bristol.
Wayfaring stranger is a beautiful and bittersweet traditional song that was a joy to add to our repertoire.

Our team for these recordings was Paul Worthington (producer, engineer), Sam Darley and Lucy Humphris (Camera operators) and Abbie Darley (Director, Camera Operator, Editor)
Also performing in many of these recordings are Rich Laws (Drums), Antonio Chiacchia (Double Bass) and Alex Garden (Fiddle)

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The Longest Johns

[mattkusch]

This song will always bring me to tears, especially because it gives me hope. My son was born with a serious heart defect during 2020. I started listening to you guys with my wife with him in the womb, and he would always calm down when he heard your voices. So this song, when he heard it being 2 now, he had this big smile on his face. Thank you guys so much!

[BobBrawlhalla]

Glad to see Dave's stick got some upgrades for this one, really moving up in the world!

[Denley]

This has to be one of my favourites. Love JD's voice in this & the whole song sounds amazing. So glad Dave now has a proper stick instrument to play. Keep warching it on repeat & will never tire of it.

[bestsynth]

Hello! Chinese guy here.

I often translate music into mental images, or feelings. And there is always a special place in my mental playlist for sea shanties. Hats off to you, good sirs!
Every time I listen to "Wayfaring Stranger" (even though I am not religious), I envision a ragtag band of exiles, returning home from years in space to liberate their people from a corrupt, greedy administration. It's slow, a bit dramatic and very very trailer-esque.

Again, hats off to you, good sirs! I've enjoyed your songs for quite a while now (probably... since 2020?), and I can't wait to see what comes next!

Chinese guy out.


Edit: Holy mackerel, that S T I C K

[SergeantBeckett]

since these started I have been praying that they did wayfaring stranger. thank you god and thank you TLJ for this. Im super hyped and very much looking forward to it!!!!

[stereodreamer]

Although I really love your traditional maritime music and shanties, I'm thrilled that you are exploring American Traditional and Folk Music. We have a rich history of Folk Music here in the States, and it is an honor to hear you take up these songs and perform them in your own inimitable way. Thank you so much for this...

[MrDrewsterUK]

This rapidly became my favourite TLJ track upon the release of Smoke & Oakum, and by the gods you guys have all absolutely smashed this! 10/10!

[ConcordiaJedi]

I swear, it's stuff like this that makes me want to get friends together and just sing.

[niroshanaperera]

Lyrics (For myself)

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world of woe
There is no sickness, toil or danger
In that fair land to which I go

I'm goin' home to see my mother
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I'm just goin' over Jordan
I'm just goin' over home

I know dark clouds will hover on me
I know my path is rough and steep
But golden fields lie out before me
Where weary eyes no more shall weep

I'm goin' home to see my father
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I'm just goin' over Jordan
I'm just goin' over home

I'll soon be free from every trial
This form shall rest beneath the sun
I'll drop the cross of self-denial
And enter in that home with God

I'm goin' home to meet my Savior
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I'm just goin' over Jordan
I'm just goin' over home

I'm goin' home to meet my Savior
I'm goin' home, no more to roam
I'm just goin' over Jordan
I'm just goin' over home

[heypeopleitsmatt]

The return of the stick WITH BELLLSSSS YAY

[kathleensnow]

Alex's fiddle adds so much to this rendition - totally love it and the entire production! Thanks!

[thomasfaucher]

One thing I absolutely love about this amazingly talented group is how effortless they look at doing things that aren't. They sound the same whether live or produced and that, to me is a huge display of skills.

This production of an already wonderful song just highlights all of their voices so well and adds a richness that I just enjoy immensely. Well done ❤❤❤❤

[Cry_Havoc]

I've been playing this song on repeat since I lost my father, and this is so adequate I can barely believe it.

[LibraryKnight]

If y'all eventually release a CD of the Made of Ale sessions, I'll definitely pick it up - these are great!

[AviationJeremy]

I thought I loved Johnny Cash's rendition, but you guys hit it out of the park.

[janicethompson]

I have loved this old song since childhood, but I've never heard it performed in such a unique way. The harmonies and instruments used made it sound new again. Thank you for such a beautiful rendition!

[jacqf]

I wish I could like it more than once.

[Mark_Bickerton]

Wow what a beautiful song.... flu and a few beers... this just carries you away to another place! I'd be happy if this was my reception when I die!

[MandibleBones]

Extremely adequate performance this October 10th.

[benrafferty]

robbie is a rockstar with that tele, it just fits him