I have but one more river to cross,
And then I’ll be at rest.
The text theme of the chorus is seen in the negro spiritual SS 4:
And I hain’t but one more river to cross.
The tune is closely related to ‘[Gaines]’, HH 122, this collection; ‘Geordie’, Sharp, i., 240; ‘John of Hazelgreen’, Sharp, i., 294; ‘False Young Man’, (2), Sharp, ii., 52; ‘True Lover’s Farewell’, Sharp, ii., 113ff. The ‘Geordie’ text begins with ‘As I crossed over London’s Bridge’. This may indicate where the revival folk got their suggestion for tune and text of ‘One More River to Cross’.
No. 230
[NEW INDIAN SONG] or WALK AND TALK WITH JESUS, SOC 45
Heptatonic ionian, mode 1 A + B (I II III IV V VI VII)
When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,