A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

Alternate Names

• The Stranger and His Friend
• The Stranger

Sheet Music

Using the tune Hyrum

• PDF
• MIDI
• LilyPond
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Contributer: Veramet 19:48, 21 November 2007 (MST)

External Sheet Music Links

• Flash printable/playable/transposable sheet music from lds.org/churchmusic

Tunes

• 'Hyrum', by Ebenezer Beesley (1840–1906), 1887 (tune also known as 'Man of Grief', and, erroneously, 'Duane Street')
  • LDS note: 'Hyrum' is the tune used in LDS hymnals, although it is referred to as 'Duane Street', probably erroneously. See the reasoning for attributing it to George Coles explained in the reference and then consider that another tune named Duane Street by George Coles that is also associated with this hymn has been discovered. However, some claim there are musical similarities, although musical similarities (if indeed there be any) are not enough to verify Coles as the composer.
    • Contributor note: If you can find any earlier source attributing this tune to George Coles and/or calling it Duane Street than the 1939 one above, please contact me. It is my opinion that the rumor began in the 1939 publication, but I would love to be proven wrong, if indeed I am. Veramet 16:34, 14 October 2011 (MDT)
• 'Duane Street', by George Coles (1792–1858)
  • LDS note: 'Duane Street' is not the tune used in LDS hymnals. That one is called 'Hyrum' or 'Man of Grief'
• 'Sagina', by Thomas Campbell, 1835
• 'St. Crispin', by George Job Elvey, 1862
• 'Sweet Hour', by William Batchelder Bradbury, 1861

Lyrics

• Poet: James Montgomery (1771–1854), 1826
• Copyright: Public Domain

External Lyrics

• Lyrics from LDS.org (same as from the 1985 LDS hymnal)

Lyrics from A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe, 1840

(this version did have some of the verses split up in half)

Hymn 225
L.M.D.
1. A poor wayfaring man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer Nay:
I had not power to ask his name,
Whither he went or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love, I know not why.

2. Once when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake;
Just perishing for want of bread;
I gave him all: he blessed it, brake;
And ate, but gave me part again;
Mine was an angel's portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

3. I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; - his strength was gone;
The heedless water mocked his thirst,
He heard it, saw it, hurrying on:
I ran and raised the sufferer up,
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o'er;
I drank, and never thirsted more.

4. 'Twas night, the floods were out, it blew
A winter hurricane aloof;
I heard his voice abroad, and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof:
I warmed, I clothed, I cheered my guest,
I laid him on my couch to rest,
Then made the earth my bed, and seemed
In Eden's garden while I dreamed.

5. Stript, wounded beaten, nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side;
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment; he was healed;
I had, myself, a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

6. In prison I saw him next, - condemned
To meet a traitor's doom at morn;
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honoured him mid'st shame and scorn:
My friendship's utmost zeal to try,
He asked - if I for him would die;
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill,
But the free Spirit cried, "I will."

7. Then in a moment to my view,
The stranger started from disguise;
The tokens in his hands I knew,
My Saviour stood before mine eyes;
He spake - and my poor name he named. -
"Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
"These deeds shall thy memorial be;
"Fear not, thou didst them unto me."

External Links

• Recently discovered melody for hymn.