See the lyrics for “Shall We Gather At The River” written and sung by Robert Lowry and released in 1864.
Shall we gather at the river?
Where bright angel feet have trod
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of GodYes, we’ll gather at the river
The beautiful, the beautiful river
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of GodSoon we’ll reach the shining river
Soon our pilgrimage will cease
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peaceYes, 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.
About Shall We Gather At The River Hymn
Robert Lowry composed the Christian hymn “Shall We Gather at the River?” in 1864, during the American Civil War. The hymn uses the imagery of the River of Life from the Book of Revelation to convey themes of hope, unity, and the promise of eternal life.
It gained popularity in churches rapidly and was frequently performed at memorial services and funerals. Over the years, several performers have performed the hymn, which is well-known for its straightforward yet impactful tune. People of all ages continue to be moved by its message of hope and reunion in the afterlife.