Top 50 Songs of the Decade, #36 - "Wayfaring Stranger," Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi

Without a doubt, this is the oldest song on the list.  "The Wayfaring Stranger" dates back to the early 19th Century, and has been recorded and sung by countless artists - Burl Ives, Johnny Cash, Jack White, Natalie Merchant, Emmylou Harris...the list is endless.

This is a remarkable recording.  In my last post I wrote about the emotions that music evokes.  The emotions this song elicits are so powerful that they become a physical force.  When Rhiannon Giddens reaches the last verse and the line, "I'm going home to meet my savior...", it's overwhelming.  And that last note which Francesco Turrisi draws from his accordion...miraculous is the only word that does it justice.

A live performance:



And the original recording:



Top 50 Songs of the Decade, #36 - "Wayfaring Stranger," Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi.