Here's a link to a performance of this song by the renown African American Gospel group The Soul Stirrers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNvEm1vmOU

Paul Foster sung the lead for this rendition of the song.

Here's my transcription of that song from the video:

I'M A PILGRIM
(The Soul Stirrers's version)

Chorus:

Whooo! I'm a pilgrim
[I'm a pilgrim]
And a stranger
[And a stranger]
Travelin through
[travelin through]
This ole barren land
[Barren land]
I got a home
[I got a home]
In yonder city, Lord
And I will do
The best I can

Chorus repeated with group responses as above:

I'm a pilgrim
Nothin but a stranger
Everyday I'm travelin
this ole barren land
But I got a home
In yonder city Lord
And I'll do
the best I can

Verse 1
(Group humming as counterpoint to the soloist)

I've been tempted, Lord
I've been tried
I've been discouraged
On every side.
While travelin
through this land, Lord
Lord I'll do
[Lord I'll do]
the best I can.
[The best that I can]

Chorus
Lord I'm a pilgrim
[I'm a pilgrim]
And I'm a stranger
[I'm a stranger]
Don't you know I'm travelin
[I'm travelin]
This ole barren land
[Barren land]
But I'm not worried
[I'm not worried]
I've gotta home
[I've got a home]
Somewhere yonder city
[In yonder city]
And I'll do the best I can.


Verse 2
(When I) Get to River Jordan
With the tide
I can see Canaan
on the other side
When I get there
Take my stand
Lord I'll do
[Lord I'll do]
The best I can
[the best that I can]

Chorus:
Lord, I am a pilgrim
Yes! Travelin through
this ole barren land
But I'm not worried
I gotta home
Somewhere in yonder city
And I'll do
the best I can.

(Repeat the chorus)


-snip-

I just added a post on my blog with that transcription and video. That post also includes one more transcription and video of another very well regarded African American group singing this song. I also added the lyrics of this song found online for Johnny Cash, and a video of a White American congregation singing that same version of "I'm A Pilgrim". That post references & gives a hyperlink to this thread with special mention of Dicho's early comments. Here's the link for that post:

"http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/12/three-versions-of-gospel-song-im.html

-Best wishes,
Azizi Powell