You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Over the Beautiful River

Representative Text

1 Murmuring softly from regions afar,
Come to our souls, with no discords that jar,
Promise of pleasure that pain cannot mar,
Over the beautiful river.

Chorus:
Over the river,
Over the river,
Over the river,
Over the beautiful river.

2 Angelic voices seem born on the air,
Sweetly they sing of the mansions so fair,
Waiting our coming, when free from earth’s care,
Over the beautiful river. [Chorus]

3 Friends have pass’d over and left us alone,
Sadly we griev’d when bereft of our own,
There we will join them around the white throne,
Over the beautiful river. [Chorus]

4 Joy will there banish the mem’ry of pain,
Losses will turn into measureless gain,
All that seems dark here will there be made plain,
Over the beautiful river. [Chorus]


Source: Gems and Jewels #44

Author: Fronia Smith

(no biographical information available about Fronia Smith.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Murmuring softly from regions afar
Title: Over the Beautiful River
Author: Fronia Smith
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Over the river
Copyright: Public Domain

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
TextAudioPage Scan

Gems and Jewels #44

Page Scan

Morning Stars #126

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.