This Baptizing Day
SATB (or TTBB) Choir a cappella. A setting of the famous folk hymn Down To The River To Pray, this text focusing on Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan. Text based on Martin Luther's Christ Our Lord to Jordan Came. Easy to learn, fun to sing! Congregation part included (in the extras) so that they can join the choir.
Jesus went down to the Jordan one day,
his Father's calling to obey.
Then John baptized him, and the Lord God said,
"This is the way!
This is my own dear son,
Follow him; his work's begun.
Sin's drowned, the victory's won!
River, wash guilt away!"
This water flows as the promise of grace
for all God's children in this place,
It's not our doing; Christ has done it all.
Give God the praise!
Now let this flood of love wash us clean,
all fear remove.
From earth to heaven above,
loud thanksgiving we raise!
When I go down to the river to pray,
thinking on my baptizing day,
the Holy Spirit tells me I'm newborn,
Old Sin, away!
My savior died for me.
Resurrection set us free,
Grace reigns eternally,
through this baptizing day!