Lyric Meaning: Down In The Valley And Salvation Themes
Here are the lyrics of "Down in the Valley with My Savior" (also known as "Follow On"):
Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow;
Everywhere He leads me I will follow, follow on,
Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.
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Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I will follow on!Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I will follow on!Down in the valley or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God.Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I will follow on!
These lyrics are traditionally attributed to William O. Cushing, with music by Robert Lowry, and the hymn is widely published in public-domain hymn collections and recordings.
What the hymn means
The hymn's central message is simple: faithful discipleship in both peaceful and difficult seasons. The opening verse uses the image of a valley with blooming flowers and sweet waters to suggest comfort and blessing, while later verses contrast that with storms, dark waters, and mountain steepness to show hardship and perseverance.
The refrain repeats the commitment to "follow Jesus" anywhere, which gives the song its emotional core and makes the promise easy to remember in congregational singing.
Historical context
This hymn is part of the long tradition of 19th-century gospel songs that used vivid nature imagery to express Christian trust and devotion. Modern hymn resources continue to list it under the title "Down in the valley with my Savior I would go," and some hymnals present it with the alternate title "Follow On."
Because the lyric is public domain, it appears in many hymn videos, church collections, and online hymn archives without copyright restrictions on the words themselves.
Line-by-line explanation
| Lyric image | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Down in the valley" | A place of humility, nearness, and ordinary life with God. |
| "Where the flowers are blooming" | A season of peace, beauty, and spiritual refreshment. |
| "Where the storms are sweeping" | A season of trial, fear, or uncertainty. |
| "Danger cannot fright me" | Confidence that divine presence removes fear. |
| "Mountain steep" | Difficulty, challenge, or demanding obedience. |
| "Hills of God" | A final place of safety, peace, and heavenly gathering. |
Singable structure
- The hymn has three verses and a repeating refrain, which makes it easy for congregations to learn.
- Each verse presents a different setting: peace, danger, and pilgrimage.
- The refrain reinforces the theme of obedience and trust by repeating the promise to follow Jesus.
- The language is simple enough for children, but the imagery also supports adult reflection.
Common use today
This hymn is often used in church services, devotional settings, and hymn-along recordings because it combines reassurance with a clear call to discipleship. Its steady refrain also makes it effective for choir arrangements and congregational participation.
- Listen to the refrain first, since it carries the main message.
- Read each verse as a scene of life with Christ, not as a literal landscape description.
- Notice the movement from valley to mountain, which mirrors the journey of faith.
- Use the hymn as a meditation on trust during both calm and difficult moments.
If you need it, I can also provide a cleaner verse-by-verse explanation or a formatted version suitable for worship slides.
What are the most common questions about Lyric Meaning Down In The Valley And Salvation Themes?
Who wrote the hymn?
The text is commonly credited to William O. Cushing, and the tune is commonly credited to Robert Lowry.
What is the chorus?
The chorus is "Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus! Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!" and it is repeated after each verse.
Is it public domain?
The lyrics are widely presented as public domain in hymn sources and recordings, which is why they appear in many freely accessible hymn archives.
What is the main theme?
The main theme is steadfast faith: following Jesus in comfort, hardship, and every place in between.