Shall We Gather At The River

“Shall We Gather at the River” is a hymn of anticipation. It looks beyond the present to the promise of eternity — a time when God’s people will be united in His presence by the river of life. The melody is calm and steady, and the lyrics are full of peaceful longing, grounded in the hope that we will one day gather together in heaven.

The Story Behind the Hymn

This hymn was written in 1864 by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister and composer, during the American Civil War. Surrounded by loss and uncertainty, he was reflecting on Revelation 22, which describes a pure river flowing from the throne of God. He said the imagery filled him with such joy and peace that the words and melody came to him quickly.

It was first published in a hymnal called Happy Voices and became widely popular in both churches and camp meetings. Despite being born from a time of sorrow, the hymn carries a tone of joy — not in the present suffering, but in the promised future with Christ.

What Makes It Powerful

This hymn is powerful because it points us forward. Life can be full of hardship, but “Shall We Gather at the River” lifts our eyes to what’s ahead — a time of peace, restoration, and reunion with those who have gone before us in Christ.

A fitting verse is Revelation 22:1–2 (NIV):

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life… flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

That’s the river this hymn sings about — the river that flows through the heart of eternity.

My Violin Cover

When I arranged this hymn for violin, I kept the pace peaceful and flowing, like the river it describes. The melody rises gently, then returns like a soft wave. It’s not loud or showy — it’s meant to invite reflection and peace, as we imagine the day we’ll gather together in God’s presence.

With Violin Hymns, I try to match the message with the emotion — and this one felt like a quiet walk home.



Listen and Reflect

The video is below. As you listen, let this hymn stir your heart with hope. Whatever you’re walking through now, it’s not the end of the story. There’s a river ahead — clear, pure, and full of healing — where we’ll meet again. Yes, we’ll gather at the river — the beautiful, the beautiful river.

Lyrics

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 walk and worship ever,

All the happy golden day.

Ere we reach the shining river,

Lay we ev'ry burden down;

Grace our spirits will deliver,

And provide a robe and crown.

Soon we'll reach the shining river,

Soon our pilgrimage will cease;

Soon our happy hearts will quiver

With the melody of peace.