Amen and Amen again .loved the song from 2013 with my girl pregnancy, felt healed clean n complete. Still my best a blessing indeed

I have known Brian‘s music for about 25 years, but ironically I also discovered this song on a completely different Hope FM, in the United States. Although it was a different version, the one that has the woman singing part of it with Brian.

I’m sorry for your loss . . . thanks for letting me know the song is a comfort to you.

Thanks Judith for your comment and question. Here's a brief version of the story behind the song. To me, The River is the sound of friendship. In 2003 three of us good friends went on a retreat (Brian Thiessen, Michael Hansen and myself.) At one point, the guitars came out and Brian Thiessen started playing a melody. I heard something special and asked him to repeat it. When he did, I started singing ‘To the river, I am going’ and we were off. There was something in the music that felt ‘old-fashioned’ as it was coming out - we were being influenced by earlier writers of folk songs and hymns. As we sang we pictured people going to a river to be baptized, or just releasing their burdens into the ever-flowing river of God’s love and forgiveness. I was also thinking about the river described in the book of Revelation 22:1 & 2. Regarding your question - I don't think you 'have' to go to the river for forgiveness . . . it's a metaphor about how love and forgiveness is always flowing and always available to anyone who needs it. I hope that helps.

@@BrianDoerksenMusic Thank you very much for taking the time to answer the questions, it's really helpful. It's great to read this story behind the song. I wish you the best and hope you will write many more beautiful songs.

@@juthiv amen and yes 👍 🙏

@@juthiv he has, many of them, for many years. You have probably even heard and sang some of them before without realizing it.

Baptism....

You can purchase stems (all the instruments used on the recording) for my songs at www.multitracks.com

!!beatful😊