Just a couple of nights ago, I heard this old hymn for the first time in, I can't remember when. It brought back very precious memories of my Dad. Now the song I heard the other night was an arrangement that incorporated just parts of "I Feel Like Traveling Home" but it was awesome to hear it, remember and wake up with it this morning!
Earlier last month, I woke up to "Come Unto Me". I mentioned in that post my Dad and how often he would lead the congregation in this song when he was asked. But another one of his favorites to lead the congregation in singing was page 133 in the Church Hymnal, "I Feel Like Traveling On". Dad loved singing and listening to old Gospel songs. In his final days, my sister and family played lots of CDs of those sweet songs of old and they brought a lot of peace and comfort to him but also those of us who were spending our last days with him. I'm like my Dad in lots of ways (some ways not so much unfortunately) but there is no doubt my love for old hymns and gospel music comes from him.
Different but similar also, "I Feel Like Traveling Home" and yesterday's song "I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy" reflect on what we might expect when we reach our Heavenly Home. Both songs mention Heaven as "bright and fair". I wonder how many songs use these words to describe Heaven? And while "I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy' only describes the wonderment of what we can expect when we reach heaven, "I Feel Like Traveling On" shares "Let others seek a home below … which flames devour …" Published first in 1894, I believe the author, William Hunter was truly looking forward to the day when he would be "traveling on".
Of course, I love the last first verse as it so reflects my feelings. "The Lord has been so good to me, I feel like traveling on, until that blessed home I see, I feel like traveling on." I hope you will enjoy hearing this old hymn. If you are like me, I suspect you will have a hard time, not singing along.
I pray you will have a good day and stay safe!
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