Pilgrims On Our Way

This is a psychedelic-folk style song about mission, presenting the of life in faith as a pilgrimage. The verses are based on the experiences of the Israelites in the desert (the pillar of fire, water from the rock, manna from heaven).

The song was written by Australia Roman Catholic (Franciscan Missionary of Mary) religious sister, Irene O'Connor FMM (ref), and included on Pilgrims and St Francis of Assisi, a CD with music by O'Connor and Sister Frances Denaro, released in 1982 under the Ave Maria Publications label, based on Double Bay, Australia.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by O'Connor. This has a 4/4 time signature. No sources of sheet music have been located.

Downloads

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No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Original recording - singer with synthesizer

Another early recording - slightly better sound quality

Lyrics

Chorus:
Pilgrims on our way to the promised land,
Let us go together hand-in-hand,
'Til we reach the Promised Land.
With Christ in our midst let us go,
and he the way will show.

1. 'Twas a fire by night and a cloud by day
That led the Israelites on their way
O Christ you are the light that leads us night and day,
You guide us on our way.

2. 'Twas water from a rock that Moses struck one day
That quenched the Israelites on their way.
O Christ, from your heart flows water giving life
you are the source of life.

3. 'Twas manna falling from heaven each day
That fed the Israelites on their way.
O Christ, you are our living bread come down from heaven,
You are the world's true leaven.

With Christ in our midst let us go, and he the way will show.

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Image adapted from The Israelites' encampment in the wilderness, guided by God by J.J. Derghi, 1866 -Wellcome Images, via Wikipedia CCby4.0