Beautiful River

Beautiful River

Original Text
Bright Jewels for the Sunday School, ed. Rev. Robert Lowry, assisted by W. F. Sherwin and Chester G. Allen (New York and Chicago: Biglow and Main, 1869): 110. BV 520 L88 University of Chicago Library. Cf. American Poetry: The Nineteenth Century, selected and annotated by John Hollander (New York: Library of America, 1993): II, 176-77. PS 607 A56 1993 Robarts Library.
"And he showed me a pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb." -- Rev. xxii. 1.
1Shall we gather at the river
2Where bright angel feet have trod;
3With its crystal tide forever
4Flowing by the throne of God?
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.
5On the margin of the river,
6Washing up its silver spray,
7We will walk and worship ever,
8All the happy, golden day.
[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.
9On the bosom of the river,
10Where the Saviour-king we own,
11We shall meet, and sorrow never
12'Neath the glory of the throne. Cho.
        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.
13Ere we reach the shining river,
14Lay we every burden down;
15Grace our spirits will deliver,
16And provide a robe and crown. Cho.
        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.
17At the smiling of the river,
18Rippling with the Saviour's face,
19Saints, whom death will never sever,
20Lift their songs of saving grace. Cho.
        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.
21Soon we'll reach the shining river,
22Soon our pilgrimage will cease,
23Soon our happy hearts will quiver
24With the melody of peace. Cho.
        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.
Publication Start Year
1869
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme
abab