I am a seeker by Janice & Bud Merritt

(remixed/new tracks/remastered: December 2017)
We based this tune on "I am a pilgrim" which is a traditional song dating back to at least 1864. There are references to it as a Civil War camp song and examples of it as an African-American spiritual. The most common version is based on Merle Travis' late 1940's recording. We rewrote the lyrics to the first three verses and added a completely new 4th verse of our own. The last two lines of the song are our take on Ghandi's "As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world ...as in being able to remake ourselves."

© 2012-2017 Trad. Arr. Bud & Janice Merritt
www.janiceandbud.com

I AM A PILGRIM AND A SEEKER
TRAVELING THROUGH THIS WONDROUS LAND
I MAY HAVE A HOME WAY ON DOWN THE ROAD, GOOD LORD,
BUT IT’S NOT (MY LORD, IT’S NOT) NOT MADE BY MAN

I’VE GOT FAMILY AND SOME GOOD FRIENDS
WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE
AND I WONDER IF I’LL EVER SEE ‘EM, GOOD LORD,
OVER ON (YES, OVER ON) SOME OTHER SHORE

I MAY CLIMB UP ON THAT HIGH MOUNTAIN
JUST TO REST MY WEARY SOUL
IF I COULD FIND BUT A MOMENT OF PEACE, DEAR LORD,
I DO BELIVE (I DO BELIEVE) IT MIGHT MAKE ME WHOLE

I AM A PILGRIM AND A SEEKER
TRYING TO DO SOME SMALL PART
I DON’T WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD, GOOD LORD
ALL I WANT (LORD, ALL I WANT) IS TO CHANGE MY HEART