I Am A Pilgrim

The Byrds · Complete Album Collection [2011]

Arranged by McGuinnHillman

I am a pilgrim and a stranger

Travelling through this wearisome land

I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord

And it's not, not made by hand

I've got a mother, sister and a brother

Who have gone this way before

I am determined to go and see them, good Lord

For they're on that other shore

I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan

Just to bathe my wearisome soul

If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good Lord

Then I know he'd take me home

I am a pilgrim and a stranger

Travelling through this wearisome land

I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord

And it's not, not made by hand

I Am A Pilgrim

The Byrds' "I Am A Pilgrim" stands as a pivotal moment in the band's transition from folk-rock to psychedelic rock, recorded during their 1966 era. The track features the distinctive, swirling guitar work of Roger McGuinn, a signature sound that defined the group's later catalog. As a cover of the traditional spiritual, the recording captures the band's evolving sonic palette, blending acoustic roots with the electric textures that would characterize their subsequent work. The song reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the mid-1960s, where folk traditions were being reimagined through a new, electric lens. Its inclusion in the band's extensive discography highlights their commitment to exploring diverse musical territories while maintaining their core identity.