Alison Krauss - Down To The River To Pray

The song may have become more well known since being included in the movie "Oh Brother where are thou", but it dates prior to 1867 when it was published in "Slave Songs of the U.S."
(from the best description on its history I could find at http://www.choralnet.org/view/257262 )

This upload is merely a resynchronised version of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU513B... by http://www.youtube.com/user/thewolf914 and then trimmed of initial announcer introduction and the long audience applause.

- - - -
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 robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way

O brothers let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
Come on 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 sinners let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sinners 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 robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way
- - - -

Other versions of the song insert verses referring to "Mother" and "Father" before the "sinner" final verse,

• Category

  Music

[Neal Stanifer]

Even an atheist like me can appreciate the beauty of this song, this style, and this tradition. Even if my life's entire experience ends at my body's death, as I think it will, my life has been richer for Alison Krauss and gospel music.

[nOOgieTheMBP]

I'll be sadly disappointed if Alison Krauss isn't in Heaven, too! Can't have the voice of an angel and a kind spirit like hers and not be there.

[missJennyBRUTAL]

I'm pagan and this song is gorgeous to me. Music is more my religion so, to me, this leaves me breathless. I don't even think of the "crown" an "christ" aspect.. I'll never forget seeing OBWAT in theatres. This song always moved me.

[Cody Boyd]

I remember we played that soundtrack for my great-grandmother who was paralyzed by a stroke and bedridden unable to speak for the last five years of her life, but very much still alive in her head, it had this song on it; I know she knew it from her youth and earlier life; she and her late husband had been in gospel bands for ages; she cried a lot during this song and others on the album...

[pattioororke]

I am more of a nature worshiper, but no one alive can possily know what is on the other side. Her music is exquisite, the best I've ever heard, and I listen to a lot of music.  Hearing her is a real gift for which I m very grateful.

[Teresa Kendall]

amen!!!!!!!



[bvolat]

Alison Krauss is a gift of the music gods. My wish would be to have that beautiful choir backing her intersperced with black voices. The beauty would be overwhelming.

[NapalmandCandy]

I love you Alison.

[spiffinglyBritish]

... WOW

[StevenUj]

You are a beautiful person sir, as a fellow atheist, I believe that songs like this and thoughts like yours are the most beautiful things in the universe.