the river os waiting come rise up a new day is dawning come rise up we be sailin' at first light come gather set our course for the crossing together sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on the river is waiting i'm ready to slip from this island i'm ready gonna leave all my sorrow behind me lift my face to the new day that's rising sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on sail on sail on the river is waiting sail on