I was standing on the banks of the river Looking out over life's troubled sea When I saw the old ship that was sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see It's hull was beat and battered, my Lord From the storms of life, I could see, oh my Lord Waves were rough but the old ship was steady, oh yes it was Is that the old ship of Zion I see At the stern of the ship stood the Captain I could hear Him when He called out my name Get on board the old ship of Zion Listen, It will never pass this way again As I step on board I'll be leaving All my sorrows and heartaches behind I'll be safe with Jesus the Captain Sailing out on the old ship of Zion Sailing out on the old ship of Zion Zion