I’m going home to see my mother…

The movie “1917” was a one-shot cinematic masterpiece that told the story of a grueling odyssey of two young men, boys really, who must deliver a message to halt an impeding attack that is destined to fail. The success of the mission is particularly vital and personal because a brother of one of the messengers is participating in the assault.

Toward the end of the movie, one of the soldiers arrives at the destination minutes before the attack commences. The scene in the woods is haunting and surreal not only because the viewer shares in the emotional and physical exhaustion of the storyline but also because one hears a song that stirs the soul.

Wayfaring Stranger is an American gospel and folk song, recorded by a number of artists from Johny Cash to Eva Cassidy to Ed Sheeran. In this particular scene, Jos Slovick tries to comfort his fellow soldiers minutes before they are charging into their impending doom. Please listen below and reflect on the words.