I recall my mountain Granny / The homeplace where she lived Little cabin made of stone / Down at the river's bend She would be so happy / When we'd come up the way She'd run out to greet us / And she would always say Welcome home, weary traveler / won't you come and rest with me awhile I know the journey's been a long one / Aren't you glad to know you come the last mile I'd sit and listen to her / Tellin' stories from the past From early in the morning / 'Till those evenin' shadows cast Then we'd watch the fireflies / From her front porch swing I'd drift off to dreamland / As I'd listen to her sing Welcome home, weary traveler / won't you come and rest with me awhile I know the journey's been a long one / Aren't you glad to know you've reached your final mile Last time I went to see her / Found a wreath upon her door She'd gone to live with Jesus / Know she's home forevermore As I grow old I miss her more / with every passin' day When I get to heaven / She'll meet me there and say Welcome home, weary traveler / won't you come and rest with me awhile I know the journey's been a long one / Aren't you glad to know you come the last mile I know the journey's been a long one / Aren't you glad to know you've reached the final mile

Though “Welcome Home, Weary Traveler” refers to  “my mountain Granny,” it was actually inspired by my great-aunt. She used many colloquial phrases she’d learned growing up in rural southern Missouri, along with lots of stories she was always anxious to tell. This song was written while envisioning what her life might have been like had she stayed in Missouri, rather than moving on to South Texas with her family.