From the album Along the Road of Faith
When I wrote this song, I was experiencing a tremendous number of health issues, seemingly getting a new diagnosis every few days. Overwhelmed, I closed my eyes one evening and imagined what it would be like to turn over all these worries to Spirit. I envisioned a peaceful, lazy river with green grassy banks on either side. In my imagination, I lay down in the grass and felt Spirit lifting my burdens away. I believe I realized for the first time what “peace that passeth all understanding” means. When I opened my eyes, I wrote this song in about 30 minutes. Talk about divinely inspired.
Lyrics
CHORUS I’m goin’ down to the river
Gonna lay my worries down
Gonna say, “Bye, bye, so long, farewell”
I never wanted ‘em anyhow
Let the record I turned ‘em over to the Lord
That’s what freedom’s all about
I’m goin’ down to the river
Gonna lay my worries down
VERSE I
I’m gonna turn over all of my problems Let God handle every one
I’m lettin’ go of what I want
And let God’s own will be done
I’m goin’ on down to the river
Gonna take my worries and hand-deliver ‘em
Over to the Lord down by the river shore
CHORUS
VERSE II
I’m lettin’ go of my doubts and fears
I ain’t gonna fight it no more
These troubles are just too heavy for me
But not so for my Lord
These burdens that’ve shackled me for so long
Gonna let God handle ‘em from now on
Well, bless-a my soul
I’m givin’ the Lord control
CHORUS