BYU Men’s Chorus Sings Classic Christian Hymn ‘A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief’

The Brigham Young University men’s choir sings ‘A poor Wayfaring Man of Grief’.

Originally titled ‘The Stranger and His Friend’, the hymn was actually a poem written by James Montgomery in 1826. The seven stanza poem has since been adopted as a Christian hymn.

A poor wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow’r to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.

Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

The lyrics embody the Savior’s teaching in Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

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