Gaither Vocal Band - The Old Country Church Medley Lyrics
Lyrics
1. Oh! I'd like to go back to that Old Country Church,
And to hear the songs of praise. (songs of praise)
How the people would sing, it would make the Heavens ring,
At that Old (at that Old) Country Church.
CHORUS:
Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river.
Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
2. Oh, I'll never forget at that Old Country Church,
how the glory of the Lord came down. (It came down)
And the children would smile, as they shouted down the aisle,
Of that Old (of that Old) Country Church.
Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river.
Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.
3. Then on Sunday to see all my friends so dear to me
At that Old Country Church. (Country Church)
When it came time for prayer, ev'rybody would be there
At that Old (at that Old) Country Church.
Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river.
Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
4. Now the years have gone by and so many have died,
At that Old--- Country Church (Country Church)
But they're on the other shore, and they'll sing forevermore,
As they did at that Old Country Church.
Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river.
Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
I'm redeemed by love divine. Glory, glory, Christ is mine.
All to Him I now resign. I have been redeemed.
Video
Gaither Vocal Group - The Old Country Church (Live)
Meaning & Inspiration
Listening to them sing about the old country church, I catch myself feeling a bit nostalgic for something I’m not sure I ever actually had. It’s easy to get caught up in the melody and the warmth of the memories they’re painting, but then I start thinking about what it actually means to gather at the river. The imagery of Revelation where the river of the water of life flows from the throne is heavy and real, not just some sentimental picture of a Sunday morning social. It makes me wonder if we treat the church as a place to keep our old traditions alive or as the actual body of Christ waiting for that final gathering.
The song talks about leaning on the everlasting arms, which feels like it’s pulling right from the comfort of being held by God when everything else falls away. That part sits well with me, knowing there’s a place where we aren’t just looking back at the past but trusting in a grip that doesn’t let go. But then I get a little stuck on the focus. Sometimes I worry that by looking back at the wood-frame buildings and the way things used to be, we turn our faith into a museum piece. Are we truly looking toward the throne, or are we just hoping to recreate the feeling of a crowd singing in a small room? There’s a tension there, I think. We want the glory of the Lord to come down, like they sing about, but I have to ask myself if I’m seeking the presence of God or just the comfort of my own history. It’s strange how a song about being redeemed can feel so focused on what we’ve left behind, and I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a faithful way to look at the hope we’re supposed to have for what’s ahead.