Lyrics
I'll meet you in the morning by the bright riverside*
When all sorrow has drifted away
I'll be standin' at the portals when the gates open wide
At the close of life's long weary day
I'll met you in the morning with a 'How do you do?'
And we'll sit down by the river and when rapture of the plane is renewed
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning by, in the city that is built four square
I will meet you in the morning in the sweet by and by
And exchange the old cross for a crown
There will be no disappointments and nobody shall die
In that land when life's sun goeth down
I'll meet you in the morning with a 'How do you do?'
And we'll sit down by the river and with rapture old acquaintance renew
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning in the city that is built four square
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Meaning & Inspiration
I Will Meet You in the Morning expresses Christian hope through the picture of a reunion beyond death. The bright riverside, open gates, exchanged crown, and four-square city draw on familiar biblical images of eternal life. Sorrow, disappointment, and death belong to the passing world, while recognition and renewed fellowship belong to the promised city. The repeated morning greeting gives that hope a personal and affectionate form without diminishing the solemn subject.
The lyric aligns especially closely with Revelation, where grief and death are ended and the river of life flows through the holy city. Its reference to exchanging the cross for a crown also presents earthly endurance in light of future restoration. The country-gospel language makes the scene feel like a homecoming: old acquaintances meet again, smiles replace weariness, and the close of lifes day gives way to morning. The song therefore treats heaven not as an escape into uncertainty, but as a confident expectation rooted in resurrection and Gods final renewal.
Related Scripture
- Revelation 21:4 The promised new creation has no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
- Revelation 22:1-2 John sees the river of life flowing through the holy city.
- 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 The passage connects resurrection with victory over death.