Shall we gather at the river
```
{title: Shall we gather at the river}
{key: C}
{verse}
[C] Shall we gather at the river
[F] Where bright angel feet have trod;
[C] With its crystal tide for ever
[G] Flowing by the throne of God?
{chorus}
[C] Yes, we'll gather at the river,
[F] The beautiful, the beautiful river--
[C] Gather with the saints at the river,
[G] That flows by the throne of God.
{verse}
[C] On the margin of the river,
[F] Washing up its golden spray,
[C] We will walk and worship ever
[G] All the happy, golden day.
{verse}
[C] Ere we reach the shining river,
[F] Lay we every burden down;
[C] Grace our spirits will deliver
[G] And provide a robe and crown.
{verse}
[C] At the smiling of the river,
[F] Mirror of the Saviour's face,
[C] Saints whom death will never sever,
[G] Lift their songs of saving grace.
{verse}
[C] Soon we'll reach the shining river,
[F] Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
[C] Soon our happy hearts will quiver
[G] With the melody of peace.
```
Shall we gather at the river
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide for ever
Flowing by the throne of God?
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.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its golden spray,
We will walk and worship ever
All the happy, golden day.
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver
And provide a robe and crown.
At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Saviour's face,
Saints whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.
Soon we'll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Downloads
Get instant access to PDF sheet music and PPT slides for all hymns.
About This Hymn
“Shall We Gather at the River” is commonly attributed to American Baptist minister and composer Robert Lowry, who wrote both text and tune in the mid-19th century, usually dated to 1864. Lowry later explained that the hymn was inspired by the imagery of Revelation 22, describing the river of life flowing from the throne of God. According to frequently repeated accounts, the words and melody came to him quickly, perhaps during a hot summer when the thought of cool, living water carried special emotional power. The hymn emerged in the shadow of the American Civil War, a period when many Christians longed for comfort, reunion, and hope beyond death. Its gentle, flowing melody and repeated question about gathering “with the saints at the river” made it especially suitable for camp meetings and revivals. Some details of its exact circumstances of composition vary by source, so parts of this background remain uncertain, but the hymn’s message of peace and heavenly fellowship has remained clear and enduring.