VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Dakota Anderson, bass

Alone we wander, through darkness roam
River holy, guide us home,
At water’s crossing, the sacred seam
Dawn of freedom we dream.

As lightning shadows what we betray
Rights the journey to the day
When all in shackles go unenslaved,
Hope of longing still saves.

So we must follow the river’s light
Heed its calling through the night,
Whose promise pierces our bleakest strife,
Beckons us to new life.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to be here.
—Original text by Joseph Gryskiewicz and Daniel Kantor,
Steal Away text, traditional