1 Over the river, shining forever,
There is a city, I know,
Wonderful story! mansions of glory
Waiting for pilgrims below.
Refrain:
Wonderful city; beautiful city,
Built without hands by our King;
Marvelous city, glorious city,
Where we forever shall sing.
2 Home of the sages, saints of all ages,
martyrs and angels of light;
Free of all sadness, city of gladness,
Always so peaceful and bright! [Refrain]
3 Hasten tomorrow, end of all sorrow,
When this glad home I shall see;
When with my Savior, happy forever,
Resting above I shall be. [Refrain]
Source: Melodies of Love #156
Pseudonym: James S. Apple.
James Rowe was born in England in 1865. He served four years in the Government Survey Office, Dublin Ireland as a young man. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central & Hudson R.R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >
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