“I Am a Pilgrim” Lyrics and Chords

“I Am a Pilgrim” goes back at least as far as the American Civil War, where it was popular in the south with weary travelers who looked forward to what awaited them in the afterlife.

Merle Travis took that traditional gospel and re-worked it into the song we know today for his 1947 album Folk Songs of the Hills. Most bluegrass pickers came to know it as an instrumental featuring Clarence White on the Kentucky Colonels’ iconic 1964 album, Appalachian Swing!. It has also been recorded by The Byrds, Johnny Cash, and was a favorite of Doc Watson’s.

It’s one of those songs that slides easily between folk, blues, gospel and bluegrass, but tossing in that seventh note right before you jump to the IV chord is an essential nod to its bluesy heritage.

“I Am a Pilgrim” lyrics and chords

We provide chords that can be applied to any key using the Nashville Number System.

 
I am a  
V 
pilgrim and a  
I 
stranger 
 
 
I7 
 
Traveling  
IV 
through this wearisome  
I 
land
 
I’ve got a home in that yonder  
IV 
city, good Lord
 
And it’s  
I 
not—
V 
not made by  
I 
hand

 

 
I’ve got a  
V 
mother, a sister and a  
I 
brother 
 
 
I7 
 
Done gone  
IV 
on to that other  
I 
shore
 
And I’m determined to go and  
IV 
see them, good Lord
 
And live with  
I 
them 
 
 
V 
forever 
 
 
I 
more

 

 
When I go  
V 
down to old chilly  
I 
Jordan 
 
 
I7 
 
Just to  
IV 
bathe my weary  
I 
soul
 
If I could but touch the hem of his  
IV 
garment, good Lord
 
Then I  
I 
know 
 
 
V 
he’ll make me  
I 
whole

 

 
I am a  
V 
pilgrim and a  
I 
stranger 
 
 
I7 
 
Traveling  
IV 
through this wearsome  
I 
land
 
I’ve got a home in that yonder  
IV 
city, good Lord
 
And it’s  
I 
not—
V 
not made by  
I 
hand

 

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Iconic: Kentucky Colonels

Old school: Merle Travis

Also good: The Byrds

 

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