Shall We Gather at the River
By Robert Lowry (1826-1899)
Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne of God?
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.
On the margin of the river, Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever, All the happy golden day.
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.
Ere we reach the shining river, Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver, And provide a robe and crown.
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.
At the smiling of the river, Mirror of the Savior's face,
Saints, whom death will never sever, Lift their songs of saving grace.
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.
Soon we'll reach the silver river, Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver With the melody of peace.
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.
Shall We Gather at the River written during the Civil War
Robert Lowry, Baptist preacher and author, wrote this hymn which poetically describes the blessings of Christians meeting together for inspiration, service and comfort, during the Civil War. There is a distinct reference to Revelation, chapter 22. 200 years earlier, John Bunyon also mentions this passage in, “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” an allegory of the Christian life. Like Lowry, Bunyon was also a Baptist preacher and author.