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Brazilian Mandolin
by Carlos Almada & Flávio Henrique Medeiros

Latin Mandolin

Happy New Year everyone!

This time I want to present you with one of my all-time favorite tunes played on the mandolin, The Wayfaring Stranger, a beautiful traditional folk song. There are varied opinions as to its origin. The strongest is that comes from the Negro Spirituals, and also from Appalachian Folk and Old Irish tunes. The song lyrics are spiritual in nature as the Wayfaring Stranger sings of the hardships of his temporal life passing by and speaks of his journeying on to a better place. Regardless of its origins, it is a hauntingly beautiful piece of music. This song has been recorded countless times and I first heard it played by Bill Monroe many years ago. Also it has been recorded by Tony Rice, David Grisman, Doc Watson, Emmylou Harris and many more including yours truly. It is in 3/4 time and I play it in the key of C minor, which is a bit of a finger stretch to get all the notes, also has a lot of tremolo and some double stops and to me it lends itself into various different rhythms, including a slow Latin groove.

Have fun.

I am a poor, wayfaring stranger
Wandering o'er this world of woe
And there's no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go
I'm going home to see my father
I'm going home, no more to roam
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 rough and steep
But beauteous fields lie just before me
Where men redeemed their vigil's keep
I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going there, no more to roam
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

About Sergio Lara

Sergio Lara plays a 1980 Gibson F-5L mandolin, uses Gibson Monel Steel strings and the round side of a Fender Heavy pick. For over 20 years, Sergio has been respected and considered as one of the best artists in acoustic contemporary instrumental music. His last recording with the well-known Latin guitar duo Lara & Reyes, "World Jazz", received a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Instrumental Pop Album in 2001. His music is best described as New Acoustic with a Latin influence, which falls under the category of Contemporary Instrumental Music and World Music.

Please visit www.sergiolara.com and you can contact me with your questions and comments.