Folk, Gospel

Wayfaring Stranger Chords

Traditional Beginner Key of A 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Guitar

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Ukulele

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Piano

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Banjo

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Mandolin

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G · C

Wayfaring Stranger Chords – Harmonica

A traditional American folk spiritual about a weary traveler seeking home. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a slow, steady tempo to capture the song’s solemn mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A E

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

A E A

Traveling through this world of woe

D A E

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

A E

In that bright land to which I go

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 2

A E

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me

A E A

I know my way is rough and steep

D A E

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

A E

Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep

Chorus

A E

I’m going there to see my father

A E

I’m going there no more to roam

D A

I’m only going over Jordan

E A

I’m only going over home

Verse 3

A E

I’ll soon be free from every trial

A E A

This form will rest beneath the sod

D A E

I’ll drop the cross of self-denial

A E

And enter in my home with God

Chorus

I’m [A]going there to see my [E]father
I’m [A]going there no more to [E]roam
I’m [D]only going over [A]Jordan
I’m [E]only going over [A]home
[/verse]

Practice tip: Master the simple A to E change before adding the D chord, and let the lyrics guide your phrasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Wayfaring Stranger"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em, G and C.

Is "Wayfaring Stranger" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Wayfaring Stranger" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Wayfaring Stranger"?

It was written by Traditional.