1 They're gathering homeward from ev'ry land,
One by one, one by one;
As weary, their feet touch the shining strand;
Yes, one by one.
Their brows are enclosed in a golden crown;
Their travel-stained garments are all laid down,
And clothed in white raiment, they rest in the mead
Where Jesus doth love his saints to lead.

Chorus:
Gath'ring home, gath'ring home,
Crossing the river one by one;
Gath'ring home, gath'ring home;
Yes, one by one.

2 Ere resting they pass thro' the toil and strife,
One by one, one by one;
Thro' waters of death ere they enter life;
Yes, one by one.
To come are the floods of the river still,
While wending their way to the heav'nly hill,
To others the waves o'erflow fiercely and wild,
But rest will be giv'n the undefiled. [Chorus]

3 And we, too, shall come to the riverside,
One by one, one by one;
We're nearer its waters each eventide:
Yes, one by one.
We hear the great roar of death's chilly stream,
Ever and anon thro' life's fev'rish dream,
But Jesus will point out the bright, silv'ry strand,
And lead us thro' storms to peaceful land. [Chorus]