This is a fascinating song that could easily go along with Jesus’ parables of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). The song is about attitudes related to serving. The chorus — the centerpiece of the song — tells of the gracious, faithful mercy and goodness of the Lord. This is a song that will touch, teach and encourage all kinds of folks — especially, I think, “seasoned servants” of the Lord. It was published in 1899, written by an accomplished man named Beverly Francis Carradine, who, in his early 20’s, during the American Civil War, was a soldier in the Confederate Army Cavalry in Mississippi. Later he graduated from the University of Mississippi, studied pharmacy, served as a shop clerk and bookkeeper. He got saved around age 26, became a pastor, and authored at least 26 books, many on “holiness” & “sanctification”. While pastoring in Louisiana, he also wrote about his opposition to the state lottery. He was recognized as a prominent New Orleans pastor who helped end the lottery in Louisiana. He helped publish a hymnal, and wrote lyrics for at least four hymns. For this song, “The Wanderer”, Carradine is also credited with writing the melody. I do not know how much of this song is “autobiography”, and how much is just art drawn from his learning — but I think it carries the marks of a wise, humble and capable servant-teacher who knew and loved the Lord — and who had a good sense of humor. Please give it a sing-along listen, then let’s talk more about his song.

Make it long

This is a long song. It made me think of something J. Sidlow Baxter, the wonderful pastor/theologian/author/evangelist of the recent century, said with a twinkle in his eye. (I must paraphrase the gist here) — “When teaching new people the Bible, you need to move quickly and keep it short. When teaching seasoned church people the Bible, you need to slow it down and make them take the time to go through it carefully, because they think they already know it all.”

I looked for ways to shorten this song, but decided it would be a disservice to the seasoned servants in this audience to leave any of it out. I related to all of it, and was blessed and encouraged to soak up the light these lyrics offer.

I doubt I’ll be the only one in this crowd who feels pretty much the same way.

Ways to wander

In this song’s five verses and the chorus we see first-person testimonies of various ways of straying from the Lord, of the Lord’s faithful love each time to call the person back and the person’s discovery and “final” decision to stay put with the Lord — with His peace and rest. No doubt the lyrics will paint different pictures to different people. I’ll offer my thoughts on what he’s describing, but please run with your own.

VERSE 1 – Wandering away from fellowship with the Lord and His good news:
In this verse see someone who heard the good news and got saved, then got out of the habit of hanging around with the Lord or His people. One day he heard someone telling others about the good news. Seeing their tears-of-joy as they received the Lord watered up his own eyes, and he came back, too. Jesus lovingly calls him back to the Lord’s gladness, rest and comfort.

VERSE 2 – Wandering away from the Lord’s grace and love
Now he has advanced to a position of service in church, confident he’s doing the Lord’s bidding, but he serves without the Lord’s love and compassion. Jesus lovingly calls him aside and shows him his work alone is not going to get him the Lord’s rest and comfort.

VERSE 3 – Wandering away from the Lord’s rewards
Here the person grouses that after all the classes, the moving, the chair-stringing, he’s the only one left doing anything. After all he’s put in, he sees no reward in status or success that makes any of it worthwhile, and in sorrow sees his life as a waste. Jesus lovingly reaches out and encourages him to recognize how the value of sonship — and fellowship — far outweigh the kind of success he thinks he lacks.

VERSE 4 – Turning back toward home
Here the person does as Jesus encourages, and gets to pondering the good news of the gospel. He comes to see it bigger than ever before.

VERSE 5 – Wandering done, home at last
This verse could be referring to “dying and going to heaven”, but I prefer to see it as a declaration that intimate fellowship with the Lord is the greatest prize. He joins up with Paul, who said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 BSB)

CHORUS – Why we have songs …
I love this chorus! Getting to sing this celebration of the goodness of the Lord five times is reason enough to include all five verses.

Servants shouldn’t go hungry

This song could be a springboard for a lot of lessons and discussion. Here’s one of several ideas the song suggests to me:

The Lord is good and generous — let’s serve the Lord and let Him help us live as examples of His more abundant life, goodness and generosity. Being sad or living in lack all the time does not glorify the Lord.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10 NJKV)

For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
(1 Timothy 5:18 BSB)

The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
(2 Timothy 2:6 BSB)

Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
(1 Timothy 4:16 BSB)

(And don’t forget … Jesus’ parables of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 and the Laborers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16.)

I think a lot of people — especially those who engage in Christian service — will be able to relate to ideas suggested by “The Wanderer”.

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS – The Wanderer
Song by Beverly Carradine (1899)

1. I had wandered off from Heaven,
On the mountains cold and gray,
When I heard my Savior calling,
To His lost sheep far away;
How I listened as the tear drops
Trickled down like falling rain,
While His tender words of promise,
Made my spirit glad again.

Chorus:
Come, oh, come to Me, said Jesus,
Come and I will give you rest,
I will take away the burden
From the heavy laden breast.
No matter who the wand’rer,
Nor how far he’s gone astray,
Know that whosoever cometh,
I will comfort him today.

2. I was working in the temple
With the Savior by my side,
Where the multitude assembled,
In its misery and pride;
Glancing upward from my labor
I just caught His distant smile,
You have placed your work between us,
Come and talk with Me awhile.

3. Many early friends had left me,
While the vacant room and chair,
Were reminders of the prices
I had paid down to be there;
I was brooding o’er my losses
When the Savior spoke to me,
You have let your sorrows settle,
Like a cloud ’tween Me and thee.

4. Then I saw at once that Jesus
Could be better far than all;
He could lighten up the pathway,
Could surround me like a wall;
He could take the place of loved ones,
Wipe the falling tears away,
Turn my sorrows into laughter,
Change the night-tide into day.

5. So I heard the Savior calling,
Come thou weary one away,
And my answer quickly followed,
Lord, I’m coming home today;
Now His loving arms are round me,
And my head is on His breast,
While I catch His faintest whisper,
And my spirit is at rest.

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