I just had a realization.
In the TLOU cover of wayfaring stranger, it’s really important to pay attention to the order that Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker sing the verses.
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world of woe
Yeah, there’s no sickness. No toil or danger.
In that bright light to which I go
I’m going there to see my mother
She said she’d meet me when I come
I’m just going over Jordan
[Verse 2: Ashley Johnson]
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
But beauteous fields lie just before me
Where gods redeemed their vigils keep
[Pre-Chorus 2: Ashley Johnson]
I'm going there to see my father
I'm going there, no more to roam
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan
I'm just a-goin' over home
We’re going to pause right here because I want to comment on how remarkable the storytelling is with the use of the song. Yes I know this song was not written for the game. It’s a century old Appalachian folk song. Anyway. Back to what I was saying. Ashley Johnson sing these verses in particular is incredibly clever, storytelling in the fact that she is discussing how her mother got infected and handed her over to Marlene, how Joel was basically her father. She talks about going into that bright light and seeing both of them again. The bright light could also be an allusion to the fireflies. And also the fact that moths are used very heavily in the game as a symbol of vast and often chaotic change, but they always find the light. Also when she sings, “I’m going there to see my father. I’m going there no more to Roam” I believe that she’s saying that once she is with Joel again, she won’t have to keep fighting anymore.
I'll soon be free from earthly trials
This body rests in the old churchyard
I'll drop this cross of self-denial
And go singing home to God
[Pre-Chorus 3: Troy Baker]
I'm going there to see my savior
I'm going there, no more to roam
Having Troy Baker sign these versus in particular is also extremely clever storytelling. In the verse, he talks about soon being free from earthly trials, ie dying. And if you have played the second game, then you understand what this is alluding to. Then he talks about his body resting in the old church yard, and we see that in the second game after a very moving scene. Then he sings “ I’ll drop this cross of self denial and go singing home to God”. I personally believe this is talking about how he is finally letting himself rest in the most permanent way possible. Death. And then in the final pre-chorus, he says I’m going there no more to roam he is also saying that there’s no more fighting.
Chorus: Troy Baker with Ashley Johnson]
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan
I'm just a-goin' over home
I'm just a-goin' over Jordan
I'm just a-goin over home
The fact that they had the sing the final chorus together is a direct reference to the final scene that we see Joel and Ellie together. When Joel dies. It also makes it very clear that they are too very similar people with two very similar goals. Getting through it all.
Having Troy sing this part alone and finishing the song, is talking about how Joel’s story is over and Ellie’s is not
