To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=7089
24 messages

Origins: Lone Pilgrim

19 Oct 98 - 02:24 PM (#42375)
Subject: Lyr Add: LONE PILGRIM (Hills/Mangsen/Herdman)^^
From: Joe Offer

On their "Never Grow Old" album, Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen team with Priscilla Herdman on "Lone Pilgrim," which they say is a classic traditional song. Anybody got the tune and corrections for the lyrics? I'll transcribe it below. Any background information on the song?
-Joe Offer-
Lone Pilgrim

I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by his tomb.
When in a low whisper, I heard something say,
"How sweetly he sleeps here alone."

The cause of his Master propelled him from home,
He bade his companions farewell,
He blessed his dear children who for him now mourn,
In far, distant regions they dwell.

He wandered, an exile and stranger, from home,
No kindred or relative nigh;
He met the contagion, and sank to his tomb;
His soul flew to mansions on high.

The tempest may howl, and the loud thunders roar,
And gathering storms may arise;
Yet calm are his feelings, at rest is his soul,
The tears are all wiped from his eyes.

Oh, tell his companions and children most dear,
To weep not for him, now he's gone;
The same one that led him through scenes most severe
Has kindly assisted him home.
On that second-last line, is it [seas (scenes?) most severe], or what????

19 Oct 98 - 02:41 PM (#42379)
Subject: Lyr Add: LONE PILGRIM (Dylan)^^
From: Joe Offer

Well, maybe I sould have done a Web search before I took the time to transcribe from the recording. One site claims it's a Dylan song, and gives these lyrics, which are just slightly different:

Lone Pilgrim
(traditional, as copyrighted by Bob Dylan)

I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay,
And patiently stood by his tomb,
When in a low whisper I heard something say:
How sweetly I sleep here alone.

The tempest may howl and the loud thunder roar
And gathering storms may arise,
But calm is my feeling, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The call of my master compelled me from home,
No kindred or relative nigh.
I met the contagion and sank to the tomb,
My soul flew to mansions on high.

Go tell my companion and children most dear
To weep not for me now I'm gone.
The same hand that led me through seas most severe
Has kindly assisted me home.

Click here for some background information.
Now, can anybody post a tune?
-Joe Offer-

Cancel that request for a tune - just click here.

22 Oct 98 - 12:38 AM (#42760)
Subject: Lyr Add: LONE PILGRIM (Boswell collection)^^
From: Les B

Joe; I have heard "Lone Pilgrim" sung on a Peter Rowan album, and I found this reference in a small book titled "Folk Songs of Middle Tennessee" - The George Boswell Collection, under a song titled "The White Pilgrim": Boswell's friend George Pullen Jackson, in his book "Spiritual Folk-Songs of Early America" (1937), discusses this sacred ballad at length and concludes that it was composed by B.F. White, the compiler of the famed "Sacred Harp" collection. White supposedly wrote the song on a lonely Texas Prairie while standing at the grave of an old friend whom he had known in Georgia. More recent studies by D. K. Wilgus, though, have shown that the song was written in 1838 by a young Maine minister named Jonathan Ellis; the "white pilgrim" referred to an evangelist of the time, one Joseph Thomas, who wore a white robe most of his later years. The song gained currency through its appearance in William Walker's "Southern Harmony" (1847), an immensely popular southern songbook. The song often is called "The Lone Pilgrim" and has been popularized in later years by guitarist-singer Doc Watson. One of three versions in the Boswell collection, this one was sung by Stanley Horn in Nashville on June 4, 1949. He had learned it from Tom Turner of Ashland City in Cheatham County, just north of Nashville.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT THE NOTED MUSIC IN, BUT THE WORDS THAT FOLLOW ARE:

I came to the spot where the white pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by his tomb,
And in a low whisper I heard something say,
How sweetly I sit here alone.

The tempest may howl and loud thunders may roll,
And gathering storms may arise,
But calm are my feelings, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The call of my master compelled me from home,
I bade my companion farewell,
I left my sweet children, who for me now mourn,
In far distant regions they dwell.

I wandered a stranger, an exile from home,
To publish salvation abroad,
I met the contagion and sunk in the tomb,
My spirit ascending to God.

Go tell my companion and children most dear,
To weep not the loved one that's gone,
The same hand that led me through scenes dark and drear,
Hath safely conducted me home.

So, obviously Dylan is just pulling a "Carter Family" and copyrighting old material!

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 8-Nov-01.

22 Oct 98 - 12:43 AM (#42761)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Les B

Joe - sorry, I should have "clicked" where you said, and saved myself from the heartbreak & embarassment of redundancy !

01 May 00 - 06:12 PM (#221059)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: AoifeO

This is most definately a traditional song. It was also recorded recently by Suzannah and Georgia Rose Armstrong-Park, teenaged like myself, and daughters of Jennifer Armstrong. Their incredible album, entitled "Across the Blue Mountains" includes great traditional arrangements. Thank you for correct lyrics.

04 Jan 02 - 05:10 PM (#621142)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WHITE PILGRIM
From: Burke

This thread needs some updating. Here's the Southern Harmony version of the music.

Here's the very long broadside version as reproduced from American Memory American Song Sheet collection.

The white pilgrim. Andrews, Printer, 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.]

I came to the spot where the white pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by his tomb,
When in a low whisper I heard something say,
How quiet I sleep here alone.

The tempest may howl, and the loud thunders roll,
And gathering storms may arise,
Yet calm are my feelings, at rest in my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The cause of my master propelled me from home,
I bade my companions farewell,
I left my dear children, who for me now mourn,
In far distant regions to dwell.

I wandered an exile and stranger below,
To publish salvation abroad,
The trump of the gospel endeavored to blow,
Inviting poor sinners to God.

But when among strangers, and far from my home,
No kindred or relative nigh,
I met the contagion and sunk in the tomb,
My spirit to mansions on high.

O tell my companion and children most dear,
To weep not for Joseph, though gone,
That same hand which led me through scenes so drear,
Has kindly assisted me home.

I called at the house of his widow below,
I entered the mansion of grief,
Where tears of deep sorrow most freely did flow,
I tried, but could give no relief.

There sat a lone widow, dejected and sad,
By affliction and sorrow oppressed,
And there with her children in mourning arrayed,
And sighs were escaping her breast.

I spoke to the widow concerning her grief,
I asked her the cause of her wo,
And why there was nothing could give her relief,
Or soothe her affliction below.

She looked at her children, then looked at me,
That look I shall never forget,
More eloquent far than a seraph could be,
It spake of the trials she met.

The hand of affliction falls heavily now,
I am called with my children to mourn,
The friend of my youth, lies silent and low,
In yonder cold grave yard alone.

But why should I mourn or feel to complain,
Or think that my portion is hard,
Have I met with affliction 'tis surely his gain,
He has entered the joys of his Lord.

His work is completed and finished below,
His last tear has fallen I trust,
Has preached his last sermon, has met his last foe,
Has conquered and now is at rest.

Though dead he yet speaketh, poor sinner to you,
Who hath hath him proclaim the glad word,
Repent of your sins, for your days are but few,
You'll soon meet at the bar of your God.

04 Jan 02 - 05:45 PM (#621166)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Burke

This is a story about Joseph Thomas,he dressed in white and called himself "The White Pilgrim" but others knew him, it is said, as "Crazy Thomas." Hw was a preacher of the old New England "Christian" denomination (not the Campbellites), which founded Antioch College in Ohio. John Ellis wrote the poem in 1838, after a visit to the White Pilgrim's grave, which is in New Jersey.

Check your library for
D.K. Wilgus, "'The White Pilgrim': Song, Legend, and Fact." Southern Folklore Quarterly 14 (1950):177-184.

The familiar tune most familiar can be found in 2 sources that are both arrangements from the oral tradition.

Indian Melodies / by Thomas Commuck, a Narragansett Indian ; harmonized by Thomas Hastings. New-York : for the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1845. It's called "The White Pilgrim" with the footnote: " A tradition of the New York Indians." (Commuck lived in Brotherton (now Deansboro) New York but later relocated to Wisconsin where he lived when his collection was published)

B.F. White's arrangment that's in the Sacred Harp dates to 1850. I'll look at my Southern Harmony & see if I can figure out when it was added there.

Jackson in "Spiritual Folk-Songs" that Les B mentions says it's identical with "Braes o'Balquidder." He also says its related to Stephen Foster's "Linda has departed." jmf, familiar to some from other lists, has noted the similarity to "TO THE SWEET SUNNY SOUTH"

04 Jan 02 - 05:51 PM (#621176)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Deckman

There is a folk cantata, strongly religious in theme, titled "The White Pilgrim." I think it is based on Pullens songs. In fact he may have composed the cantata. It a very moving piece, occasionally performed by sacred groups. Bob Nelson

05 Jan 02 - 07:18 AM (#621447)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: pavane

It was also recorded by Peter Bellamy on his limited edition Cassette 'Fair Annie'. And didn't everyone already know that BD derived most of his early material from traditional songs? Look up Masters of War, then Nottamun Town, for one good example.

05 Jan 02 - 03:02 PM (#621589)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

"Lone Pilgrim," as recorded by Dylan in 1993 and reproduced in the first post by Joe, is identical to the Doc Watson and Family recording of 1963 (Folkways FA2366 side B) except for the first line of the third verse- Watson sings "the call from my master" rather than "of my master." Both changed "pensively" in the 2nd line, 1st verse, to "patiently" (less pertinent to the meaning of the verse). Dylan The Doc Watson recording is my favorite among those that I have heard.
Note on copyright: This has been covered in other threads, but Dylan's copyright is really to protect his recording from playing on media without payment (also to prosecute pirates) and to prevent unauthorized taping of his performances. The basic tune and words of this old song, of course, are open to anyone who wishes to perform their own version (and they can copyright their rendition for the same purposes).
A White and Pace version (1993) removes any sense from the 3rd verse by changing "No kindred" to "Though kindred."

05 Jan 02 - 05:40 PM (#621663)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHITE PILGRIM
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)

Here is the Sweet Songster words (publication date, 1854)

I came to the spot where the white pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by his tomb-
When in a low whisper I heard something say-
How sweetly I sleep here alone!

The tempest may howl, and the loud thunders roll,
And gathering storms may arise-
Yet calm are my feelings, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The call of my Master propels me from home *
I bid my companions farewell-
I left my dear children, who now for me mourn,
In a far distant region to dwell.

I wandered an exile, and stranger below,
To publish salvation abroad-
The trump of the gospel endeav'ring to blow,
Inviting poor sinners to God.

But when among strangers, and far from my home,
No kindred nor relatives nigh-
I met the contagion and sank in the tomb,
My spirit to mansions on high.

Go tell my companion and children most dear,
To weep not for Joseph that's gone-
The same hand that led me thro' scenes dark and drear
Will kindly conduct me safe home.**

* By the time I started going to church with Mom and Dad, they were singing this line, "The love of my Savior influenced me here."

**...and this one was sung,"Has kindly conducted me home.

The seven verses, about the widow, also follow along here, but were not sung. The song-leaders never lined them out; Mom said that this was a different song, that had mistakenly got tacked onto, "The White Pilgrim." I have no further proof of this, but it makes sense to me.

As for the tune, I believe that Doc Watson's tune is the same one used in our church. Sandy- is this on Edna's recording for Folk-Legacy? Can't find my copy just now. Jean

05 Jan 02 - 06:06 PM (#621678)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Dead Horse

And there is a crown that doth glitter and shine,
That I shall for evermore wear:
Then turn to the Savior, his love's all divine
All you that would dwell with me there.
Above is last verse of version from your midi clicky, Joe.

05 Jan 02 - 08:49 PM (#621800)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Burke

I found a picture of Joseph Thomas & a monument. Here it is

A google search on "white pilgrim" turns up a lot of white pilgrim clothes. I did find This site. It gives the full poem as written by John Ellis, but the first verses as written in 1836 at the grave & the later verses beginning with the 'I called at the house' line, called "REPLY TO WHITE PILGRIM" Written at Yellow Springs, O., 1843.

Thomas died & was buried in New Jersey. I think Antioch College is in Yellow Springs, so if Thomas' family lived there, it would make sense for Ellis to write an addendum after a visit there.

Jean, I also found that you recorded it on "Sweet Rivers."

22 Jun 03 - 10:53 PM (#970708)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: toadfrog

Astonishing. I heard Molly Andrews sing the "Lone Pilgrim" this afternoon in San Francisco. I thought it was an exceptionally beautiful song, and begged her to tell me where it was from. She said, straight from Sacred Harp. Not from any record. One had to go to Sacred Harp and pick the tune out of the dots. Imagine my disillusionment to learn (1) it appears on the same Watson Family album she had praised at the beginning of the program; and (2) Bob Dylan, of all persons, had not only swiped but also copyrighted the song.

So much for career folk singers, including those with pure voices! Foo!

22 Jun 03 - 11:34 PM (#970726)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: masato sakurai

Jackson says in Spiritual Folk-Songs (p. 48) that the "Orphan Girl" tune (Click here) is a derivative of the same tune.

~Masato

23 Jun 03 - 04:33 AM (#970790)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: masato sakurai

THE LONE PILGRIM (p. 341) in B.F. White, The Sacred Harp, A Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Odes, and Anthems, Selected from the Most Eminent Authors... (Philadelphia: S.C. Collins, 1860).

23 Jun 03 - 02:51 PM (#971090)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Burke

If I scan the "Indian Melodies" version, is there someone who can post it?

The melody is substantially the same as the Sacred Harp version, except for the 3rd phrase, which is quite different.

23 Jun 03 - 02:54 PM (#971092)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: MMario

you can ship me the scan Burke

lpola@edutech.org

23 Jun 03 - 02:57 PM (#971095)
Subject: RE: Lone Pilgrim
From: Burke

Drat! It was in my car on Friday. I could have given it to you. Now it's at home, so not before tomorrow.

26 Jun 03 - 08:01 AM (#972608)
Subject: Lyr Add: MISSIONARY, OR WHITE PILGRIM
From: MMario

MISSIONARY, OR WHITE PILGRIM
(a tradition of New York Indians)

I came to the spot where the white pil-grim lay,
And pen-sive-ly stood by his tomb;
Whne in a low whis-per I heard something say,
How sweet-ly I sleep here a-lone!

The tem-pest may roar, and the loud thun-der roll,
And ga=ther-ing storms may a-rise;
Yet calm are my feel-ings, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The cause of my Master propell'd me from home,
I bid my companion farewell;
I left my sweet children (who for me do mourn)
In far distant regions to dwell.

I wander'd an exile and stranger below,
To publish salvation abroad;
The trunp of the gospel endeavor'd to blow
Inviting poor sinners to God

But when among strangers, and far from my home,
No kindred or relative nigh
I met the contagion and sunk in the tomb,
My spirit to mansions on high.

O tell my companion and children most dear
To weep not for Joseph, though Gone!
The ssame hand that lef me through scenes dar and drear
Has kindly conducted me home.



Tune to be posted shortly!

26 Jun 03 - 08:37 AM (#972633)
Subject: Tune Add: Missionary, or White Pilgrim
From: MMario

X:1
T:Missionary, or White Pilgrim
I:abc2nwc
M:2/2
L:1/8
K:D
z4(D2F2)|A4(BA)F2|A4B2c2|d4A2F2|
w:I_ came to_ the spot where the white pil-grim
(E2D2)(d2e2)|f4e2d2|e4d2B2|A4z4|
w:lay,_ And_ pen-sive-ly stood by his tomb;
z4(e2g2)|(f2d2)e2d2|A4F2A2|d4A2F2|
w:When_ in_ a low whis-per I heard some-thing
(E2D2)(D2F2)|A4(B A) F2|A4d2c2|d4z4
w:say,_ How_ sweet-ly_ I sleep here a-lone!

26 Jun 03 - 09:48 AM (#972676)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lone Pilgrim
From: MMario

sorry - forgot to add the source:

The source is:
Indian Melodies / by Thomas Commuck, a Narragansett Indian ; harmonized by Thomas Hastings. New-York : for the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1845. p. 104.

07 Jun 07 - 06:20 PM (#2071021)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lone Pilgrim
From: Goose Gander

WHITE PILGRIM
Andrews, Printer, 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.]

From American Memory.

22 Aug 22 - 03:52 PM (#4150746)
Subject: RE: ADD/Origins: Lone Pilgrim
From: Joe Offer

Joe - combine