Gaither Vocal Band - I Will Meet You in The Morning Lyrics
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
Video
I'll Meet You in the Morning [Live]
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band, celebrated for their rich harmonies and unwavering spiritual message, brought to life the profound hope encapsulated in "I Will Meet You in The Morning" with its live release on August 17, 2012. This rendition isn't just a song; it's a vibrant tapestry woven from biblical promises, offering solace and anticipation to those walking through the earthly journey. The true genius of this piece lies not in its melodic intricacies, though they are certainly beautiful, but in its ability to articulate the Christian's ultimate destination and the joyous expectation of eternity with God.
The song's essence is a magnificent exploration of the believer's future in heaven, portraying it as a tangible reunion and a final sanctuary from all earthly suffering. It opens with a vision of meeting loved ones by a "bright riverside," a powerful image that immediately connects to the River of the Water of Life described in Revelation 22:1-2, flowing from the throne of God. This place is promised as one where "all sorrow has drifted away," echoing the divine assurance in Revelation 21:4 that God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." The anticipation of standing at the "portals when the gates open wide" speaks to the grand entrance into the New Jerusalem, a city with gates that will never be shut, as foretold in Revelation 21:25. It signifies the end of "life's long weary day," a poetic reference to the completion of our earthly pilgrimage and the blessed rest found in Christ, as invited in Matthew 11:28.
The lyrics paint a remarkably personal picture of heaven, not as an abstract concept, but as a place of genuine connection. The repeated notion of meeting with a "How do you do?" and renewing "old acquaintance" alongside a river of joy beautifully conveys the biblical understanding of recognition in the afterlife. Just as Paul speaks of knowing fully in heaven as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12), the song suggests a complete and unhindered restoration of relationships, free from earthly imperfections. The certainty of being recognized by the "smile that I wear" transcends physical appearance, pointing to a joy so profound it transforms and radiates, a joy rooted in the very presence of God and the redemption found through Jesus Christ. This meeting occurs in "the city that is built four square," a direct and powerful reference to the New Jerusalem, whose perfect dimensions are detailed in Revelation 21:16, symbolizing its divine design and completeness.
The profound heart of the song's message resides in its assurance that this future is one utterly devoid of disappointment and mortality. The promise to "exchange the old cross for a crown" is a rich theological statement, symbolizing the transition from the burdens and sacrifices of following Christ on earth to the eternal reward and victory He bestows (2 Timothy 4:8, Revelation 2:10). This is the culmination of faith, where the temporary suffering of this life is superseded by an everlasting glory. The declaration that "there will be no disappointments and nobody shall die" directly reiterates the core promise of Revelation 21:4, offering ultimate comfort against humanity's deepest fears. It is a land "when life's sun goeth down," not into darkness, but into an eternal day, for the Lamb himself is its lamp, and there will be no night there (Revelation 21:23-25). "I Will Meet You in The Morning" by the Gaither Vocal Band is more than just a musical performance; it is a profound declaration of Christian hope, a melodic sermon that strengthens faith in God's eternal promises, reminding all who engage with its message of the glorious destiny awaiting believers in the sweet by and by.