Lyrics
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Meaning & Inspiration
The Old Country Church Medley celebrates the faith formed in a local congregation. Its scenes of singing, prayer, children, and longtime friends present the country church as a place of spiritual memory and community. As familiar hymn lines enter the medley, the song moves from earthly fellowship toward the hope of gathering before God’s throne.
The later verses acknowledge death and separation without losing their confidence. The deceased are pictured on the other shore, still singing, and the closing declaration of redemption grounds that hope in Christ. By joining several church songs, the medley connects nostalgia, security, redemption, and eternal fellowship. Its remembered building matters because of the prayer and praise once shared there, while the borrowed refrains direct that memory beyond the building toward Gods enduring promises.
Related Scripture
- Revelation 22:1 The verse describes the river of life flowing from God’s throne.
- Deuteronomy 33:27 Moses describes God as an eternal refuge with everlasting arms beneath.