Wayfaring Strangers

“Essential.... A gorgeous gift book.”—New York Times Book Review

“Ritchie and Orr strike all the right chords in this pleasantly tuneful survey.”—Publishers Weekly

“A story remarkable for its breadth and depth, conveying the drama of Scottish emigration via Ulster to Appalachia, by a people who clung to the music and song they held dear, and bequeathed it to America. It is for us to keep our eyes and ears open to see how this river carries on.”—Scottish Life Magazine

“If you love Appalachian music; if you're Scots-Irish and wonder about your roots; if you're curious about the words and traditions of the music and how many miles and years the songs have traveled to get here, this handsome book is your most trusted servant, your indispensable encyclopedia and your entertaining Bible.”—Charlotte Observer

“Songs can take us on extraordinary journeys. They respect neither border nor time, and by following them, we can chart the movement of generations of people. In Wayfaring Strangers, Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr take a long look at this story using Scottish songs as their compass. It’s a fascinating and often surprising ride.”—Cerys Matthews MBE, Welsh folksinger, author, and broadcaster

“Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr . . . are the perfect authors to trace the journey this music has made and to paint the picture of the living, breathing stream that it is.”—Kathy Mattea, singer-songwriter and teacher

“Except for my family, there is nothing I love more than being a part of the 'living tradition' captured in this book.”—Rosanne Cash, singer-songwriter and author