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=QU513Bkp29I 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

Tags:

• Alison
• Krauss
• Gospel
• Acapella
• live
• music
• spirituality
• Down
• River
• Pray

[grundoon51]

I have a Doc Watson version of this song, which is a very different style, but still hits the same chords...

[imacceptingbut]

Outstanding point! But with this observation one really, really has to do his or her homework!

There are multiple reasons - socioeconomic, political, racial, stereotype-biased, and cultural reasons - why blacks continue to fall in this "slave-like" category.

People can bitch and say they're just lazy. Yes, some are. A very large and prominent percentage are NOT and still find themselves in these dire straights.

Do your research, LEARN why, and communicate knowledgeably about the topic.

[vanmoody]

My honest opinion is that many of the former slaves, if they saw how their descendents are acting they would be ashamed. In the inner city seventy percent of black children are born out of wedlock. Many of these families are on welfare because it is available. The former slaves would not like this at all. When you are on welfare, then you are a slave to the state. You have to do what the state says.

[Philosphyfanatic]

My grandfather loved Alison Krauss. Now that he has just passed away, I think of him whenever I listen to Mrs. Krauss sing this beautiful piece.

[mekaclay1]

LOVE THIS SONG and Was before I seen the movie ,, AWWWWWH THIS SONG SPEAKS

[cjones68818]

CANT HELP BUT TOO PRAY WHEN I HEAR THIS

[DjCovenant]

she raised him left...joking, but its a valid comment.

[paul byrne]

voice of an angel u know it

[greekgeek367]

And your mom didn't raise you right!

[1954malberts]

Nobody with prettier lips has ever sang this song.