The Wayward Wind
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns · The Three Bells [Bear Family] [1993]
Chorus:
The wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And he was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
In a lonely shack by a railroad track
He spent his younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward bound
Made him a slave to his wandering ways.
Chorus:
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And he was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
Oh, she met him there in a border town
She vowed they'd never part
Tho' he tried his best to settle down
She's now alone with a broken heart.
Chorus:
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And he was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
The next of kin...
About The Wayward Wind
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns delivered "The Wayward Wind" as a poignant song on their 1993 Bear Family reissue, *The Three Bells*. Rooted in the folk and gospel traditions of the American South, the track exemplifies Brown's signature ability to weave spiritual yearning with narrative storytelling. The recording captures the raw, emotive quality characteristic of his solo career and his work with the group, featuring harmonies that elevate the song's contemplative mood. Released alongside other notable tracks like "The Whiffenpoof Song" and "Mommy Please Stay Home With Me," this piece reflects the enduring appeal of Brown's catalog, which often blends religious themes with secular observations on life. The song stands as a testament to his skill in crafting accessible yet deeply moving compositions that resonate across generations of folk music enthusiasts.