I’ve Got Peace Like a River is an African-American spiritual. Spirituals began on the fields and the slaves would sing to pass the time of day. It was also a great way to pass messages along and share the gospel.

This song uses water “as a simile” to describe peace, joy and love.

source: Diana Leagh Matthews http://dianaleaghmatthews.com/ive-got-peace-like-river/

Lyrics:

1 I've got peace like a river, 
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river, 
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.

2 I've got love like a river,
I've got love like a river,
I've got love like a river in my soul.
I've got love like a river,
I've got love like a river,
I've got love like a river in my soul

3 I've got joy like a river,
I've got joy like a river,
I've got joy like a river in my soul.
I've got joy like a river,
I've got joy like a river,
I've got joy like a river in my soul.