1 Earth has its sorrows, its heartaches, its anguish;
Fraught are life’s moments with pleasure and pain;
But at the ford of that mystical river
Darkness shall vanish, and all shall be plain.

Refrain:
Yes, at the ford, at the ford of the river,
Rapturous visions these eyes shall away;
Fording the flood at the foot of the “city,”
Cleansed from all sin we shall enter the gate.

2 Earth has its pleasures, its lessons of gladness;
Filled is joy’s cup with unspeakable peace;
But at the hour when fording the river
There shall be joys of a thousand increase. [Refrain]

3 Earth has its songs of a triumphal measure,
Songs of rejoicing and echoes of rest;
But at the brink of the river of rivers
Swelleth the infinite song of the “blest.” [Refrain]

4 Earth has its victories, praise the Redeemer!
Glorified visions and answers to prayer;
But safely past that blest ford of the river,
Eternal victory’s crown we shall wear. [Refrain]