Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Wayfaring Stranger.
Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger is (also known as "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" or "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger"), Roud 3339, is a well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century[1] about a plaintive soul on the journey through life. As with most folk songs, many variations of the lyrics exist and many versions of this song have been published over time by popular singers, often being linked to times of hardship and notable experiences in the singers' lives, such as the case with Burl Ives' autobiography.
According to the book The Makers of the Sacred Harp, by David Warren Steel and Richard H. Hulan, the lyrics were published in 1858 in Joseph Bever's Christian Songster, which was a collection of popular hymns and spiritual songs of the time.
This may or may not have been the first time the song appeared in English print, and the songwriter is unknown. Steel and Hulan suggest the song was derived from an 1816 German-language hymn, "Ich bin ja nur ein Gast auf Erden" by Isaac Niswander. WikipediA :
Wayfaring Stranger is in the The Daily Ukulele
— 365 Songs for Better Living book.
Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favorite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements with melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys that are particularly suited for groups of one to one hundred to play and sing.
Harmonic Analysis (HA)
A Harmonic Analysis (RMA/HA) and its worksheet are intended to show the function of the chords, the harmonic principles used, the keys and tonalities the song explores. And, can be used for scale selections and chord and scale substitutions.
A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a leadsheet
and minimal leadsheet information such repeats, fines, D.S., D.C., codas have been used in preparing the worksheets.
1st, 2nd Ending, Turnbacks …
The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, Turnbacks, etc. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to an previous or 
section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to different section, a 
or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.
If these 1st, 2nd Ending, Turnbacks are not indicated then a Turnback chord(s) will be indicated in parentheses.
Reference Key
This is the key of the source leadsheet.
- Wayfaring Stranger is in the Key of Am .
Harmonic Principles Used:
Chords
Theses and many other chords where covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.
Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval
INTERVALS: Root=note that begins a scale of the starting key; C is C, D is D, Am is a, Em is E, etc... m=minor; M=Major; P=Perfect; D=Diminished; A=Augmented. • ↑ is up/ascending; ↓ is down/descending;
Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet
D Ionian (Major)
Scale Selection
Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed then scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical and horizontal choices.
Checkout LESSONSeries : Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection or download the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book.
Performance Notes
Any performance notes will be shown here...Links & Resources
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Wayfaring Stranger
.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Wayfaring Stranger
.
Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection
Updated: 27 Feb 2023
Harmonic Analysis is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and is a particular chord type. The relationship of a chord's to a scale determines its function within that scale's tonality.
Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Wayfaring Stranger
.
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Updated: 10 Jun 2021
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
The Daily Ukulele
Updated: 05 May 2022
Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favorite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements with melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys that are particularly suited for groups of one to one hundred to play and sing.
