I've Got a Joy Like a River is a traditional Christian song that has long been sung in churches, Sunday schools and gospel gatherings, where its simple river image expresses a joy that keeps flowing rather than fading. Because the melody is easy to learn and sing together, it has travelled through congregations and family singing rather than through a single recording or performer. Online, short performances are now shared as encouragement, making it a familiar choice for uplifting posts, messages and videos that aim to comfort rather than entertain.