i was raised in the house of a real holy roller warned the people about the ways of sin he said go out yonder to the water and travel cause disciples they were fishers of men yeah disciples they were fishers of men so i got me a job on the first boat rowin and it s been a mighty long time since i sat in the house of my father and my mother or i seen that woman of mine yeah that good lovin gal of mine i said babe i m a goin on a little bitty journey i ll be back when the fishin is through while i m waitin in case get ready for when jesus comes for you when the good lord comes for you when jesus comes for you here it comes sayin shall we gather by the water the beautiful water shall we gather by the water that flows from the throne of god truth it lies in the love of a woman lord don t sink this boat i got a pretty little thing waitin in new orleans with a dagger by her throat she don t wanna do it but she s that crazy and if i don t make it back she ll probably die alone and cold as the creole night turns black sayin shall we gather by the water the beautiful water shall we gather by the water that flows from the throne of god shall we gather by the water the beautiful water shall we gather by the water that flows from the throne of god