I was standing on the banks of the river Looking out over life's troubled sea When I saw that old ship that was sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see? It's hull was beat and battered From the storms of life, I could see The waves were rough, but that old ship was steady Is that the old ship of Zion I see? At the stern of the ship was the captain I could hear as He called my name "Get on board, it's the old ship of Zion 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