I Am a Pilgrim

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Early version of "I am a Pilgrim" lyrics and music from 1869 hymn book I am a Pilgrim and Stranger lyrics and music from 1869 book.jpg
Early version of "I am a Pilgrim" lyrics and music from 1869 hymn book

"I Am a Pilgrim" is a traditional Christian hymn from the United States, first documented in the mid-19th century. It forms part of the repertoire of gospel, folk, and bluegrass artists.

The song combines elements from an "[o]ld hymn entwined with Poor Wayfaring Stranger (Sacred Harp - 1844). It appears in The Southern Zion's Songster (1864) and in Hymns For the Camp (1862)." [1] The song references or alludes to several Bible passages, including the refrain, "I am a pilgrim and a stranger" which alludes to 1 Peter 2:11 and Hebrews 11:13 and also the lyric "If I could touch the hem of his garment" which references Matthew 9:20 where a woman touches the hem of Jesus' robe and is healed. [2] In July 1924 the song was first recorded by Norfolk Jubilee Quartet, an African American group. Prominent musicians such as The Byrds, Johnny Cash, and Merle Travis have recorded the song.

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References

  1. "Song: I Am a Pilgrim written by [Traditional]| SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com.
  2. Steve Turner, Turn, Turn, Turn: Popular Songs Inspired by the Bible, (2018) (accessed on books.google.com)