559 Christ Was a Weary Traveler
["Christ Was a Wayworn Traveler" or "My Warfare Will Soon Be Over" is a traditional gospel song. One ecellent version is from the singing of Sarah Ogan Gunning on Folk Legacy FSA 26, Girl of Constant Sorrow: Sarah Ogan Gunning. Recorded by Archie Green, who I've talked with several times doing research, Gunning learned the song from her family. Other titles are "Christ Was a Weary Traveler" and "They Said My Lord Was a Devil."
The line, "the warfare will soon be over," is commonly found in the 1800s. Here's a quote from The Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle- 1829: "The warfare will soon be over, and then the blessed Jesus will own his poor creature for his child." E.C. (Estil) Ball recorded the song under the title, "Warfare," on a County recording in 1967. It was reissued on a compilation on Copper Creek CCCD-0141, E.C. Ball and Orna, "Through The Years 1937-1975". ]
559 Christ Was a Weary Traveler
With music. Words written down by Dr. Brown as sung to him by Will ("Shorty") Love, an African-American janitor at Trinity College and Duke University, c. 1920-24. Compare the last four lines with stanza 2 of 'William Shackleford's Farewell Song,' Vol. II, No. 294, p. 682.
1. Christ was a weary trav'ler,
He went from door to door;
His occupation in life,
Was a-minist'ring to the poor,
My work'll soon be ended.
My race is almost run,
Mv work'll soon be ended,
And then I'm going home.
2. Christ told his disciples,
"After I'm riz and gone.
You'll meet with many crosses,
But their abuse you'll scorn."
Ahuse me all you want to,
But I'm traveling home to God;
I'm well accquainted with crosses,
And all my ways are hard.
3. I thank God for none but the pure in heart
Before His face shall stand,
When dis ol' world shall reel about
Like a drunken man.
I'm strivin' hard and faithful,
When de trumpet shell soun'
My soul shall shout like Izral shouted
When de Jekkel walls fell down.
4. No difference whar I travel,
It's no matter whar I'll be.
There's someone always ready
To point de finger of scorn at me;
But to heaven my soul shall onward move
Like lightin' around the throne ;
My soul shall shout like Izral shouted.
5. When I get to heaven
Want you to be there too.
When I cry out "Amen"
Want you to say so too.
God bless thuh Roman Catholics
An de Presbyterians too
And dub gool old shoutin' Methodists
And de prayin' Baptists too.
---------------
559
Christ Was a Weary Traveler
'Christ Was a Weary Traveler.' Sung by Will (Shorty) Love, Durham, December 9, 1939. For additional text cf. NSSUS 162.
r"-495
Christ was a wea - ry trav - 'ler,-
He went from door to door;
His cu - pa - tion in life-
Was min - is - t'ring to the poor. My work'll
It al - most run, My soon be end - ed,
My race work'll soon be end - ed,
And then I'm go - ing home.
Scale: Hexachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure : aa1bb1 (2,2,2,2) .