I was standing on the banks of the river 
Looking out over life’s troubled sea 
When I saw that ole ship that was sailing 
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see. 

Its hull was bent and battered 
From the storms of life I could see 
Waves were rough but that ole ship kept sailing 
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see. 

At the stern of the ship stood the captain 
I could hear as he called out my name 
Get on board it’s the ole 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 ole ship of Zion.