I had burdens on my shoulders all my life I tried and tried to leave 'em all behind But freedom's one thing I could never find I said a prayer from the banks of a river God met me there, showing me something better My life was changed When I stepped into the water Ain't seen my chains Since I gave 'em to the Father Hallelujah, I've been delivered Where is my guilt? Where is my shame? I left it in the river (river), oh I left it in the river (river), oh Now there's nothing that can take this joy I've found He raised me up and I ain't coming down He washed me clean and now there ain't no doubt He turned it all around I said a prayer from the banks of a river God met me there, showing me something better I left my wrongs at the bottom of the river I said so long, said goodbye forever My life was changed When I stepped into the water Ain't seen my chains Since I gave 'em to the Father Hallelujah, I've been delivered Where is my guilt? Where is my shame? I left it in the river (river), oh I left it in the river (river), oh I left it in the river (river), oh I left it in the river (river), oh I left it in the river