Wayfaring Stranger & War

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger

Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go

I'm going there to see my Father
And all my loved ones who've gone on
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is hard and steep
But beauteous fields arise before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my Mother
She said she'd meet me when I come

So, I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home.

Well, the Academy Awards have rolled around again and this year we've only seen three of the nine Best Picture nominees, with plans to see three more. We won't see Joker because it sounds too dark for our aged sensibilities. I really enjoyed Little Women even though I should supposedly have been indifferent to it because I'm a guy. 

I actually appreciated it more than 1917, which is a powerful war film, or perhaps an anti-war film. It is based on the World War I experience of the grandfather of director Sam Mendes. Two corporals are sent on a dangerous mission through enemy territory to deliver a message which could save the lives of hundreds of soldiers who have been led into a trap. It is a suspenseful, face-against-time story. 

Along the way one of those two enters a wood where a large number of soldiers on his side are resting, obviously battle-weary. He hears a solo singing voice, first faintly, then clearly as he draws nearer to the source. It is a soldier singing to his mates, a haunting piece which sounded to me like a folk song, or spiritual, which is was. It's called Poor Wayfaring Stranger and is actually an American folk song which might have been a century old in 1917. 

I went looking for Wayfaring Stranger after we saw the film, to no avail initially. It turns out I wasn't alone. The song wasn't on the original soundtrack and a petition was started online to release it, which has happened.

Strong film, lovely song. Have you seen 1917? Would you agree with those who say that it points out the futility of war, even as it honours everyday heroism? What about that song? Did it touch you as it did many others?