Down in the River to Pray - Shenandoah Christian Music Camp

12,699 views • Sep 14, 2023

Description

"Down in the River to Pray" arranged by Lyle Stutzman. Sung at the 16th Annual Choral Festival 2023 of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp (VA). Conducted by Wendell Glick.
Sheet music available here: https://blueskymusic.net/shop/satb/down-in-the-river-to-pray/

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The Historic Faith · Hymn Companion

Down in the River to Pray

Words by Traditional; unknownMusic by Traditional; unknownWritten before 1867Tune THE GOOD OLD WAY

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O sisters, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sisters, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O brothers, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O brothers, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O fathers, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O fathers, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O mothers, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O mothers, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
And who shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O sinners, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sinners, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.

Story Behind the Song

This traditional American spiritual or folk hymn is also known as "The Good Old Way" and "Down to the River to Pray." Its earliest well-known printed form appeared in Slave Songs of the United States in 1867, where the opening reads "As I went down in the valley to pray." The familiar "river" wording is a later oral-tradition variant and has often been associated with baptismal imagery and communal prayer.

Scripture

Found In

Slave Songs of the United States, Lift Up Your Hearts