SiteMap

Shall We Gather at the River

1. Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

2. On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy, golden day.

3. Ere we reach the shining river;
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver
And provide a robe and crown.

4. Soon we'll reach the shining river;
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Chorus:
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Lyrics: Robert Wadsworth Lowry
Music: Robert Wadsworth Lowry

Tune: HANSON PLACE

Shall We Gather at the River

Robert Lowry (1826–1899)

This hymn was written in July 1864, while Robert Lowry was pastor of the Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. Although this hymn is frequently used at baptisms, it is actually about the pure river that proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb, described in Revelation 22:1.