the road s been long i m a little bit weary lot of miles behind me but home s a lot nearer i ve got one more crossing it s a long way over won t you stand by the river and wait for me won t ya stand by the river lord and hold my trembling hand cradle me sweet jesus from the cold dark sinking sand this is one trip i can t take alone i m kinda anxious to get on home so stand by the river wait for me sing it dolly you paved a road through the hills and mountains in the middle of the desert you placed a fountain now stand by me jesus through the cold deep water won t you stand by the river and wait for me won t ya stand by the river lord and hold my trembling hand cradle me sweet jesus from the cold dark sinking sand this is one trip i can t take alone i m kinda anxious to get on home so stand by the river and wait for me won t ya stand by the river lord and hold my trembling hand cradle me sweet jesus from the cold dark sinking sand this is one trip i can t take alone i m kinda anxious to get on home so stand by the river stand by the river i want ya to stand by the river wait for me stand by the river stand by the river mm ooh stand by the river wait for me i want ya to stand by the river stand by the river want ya to stand by the river wait for me yeah