Down To The River To Pray by Alison Krauss

Album: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Krauss recorded this traditional folk tune for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The movie's soundtrack featured versions of old-time American songs recorded by Krauss and other artists such as Norman Blake, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch. The tracks were recorded in a relevant style to the setting of the movie in the 1930s Southern United States. The soundtrack album sold over seven million records in 2001 defying predictions that non-contemporary music was non-commercial. In 2002 it won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Krauss performed this traditional spiritual song at the Austin City Limits festival, and this performance was included on her 2002 album Live. It was the only track included on the album from the performance.
Krauss sang this a cappella with the First Baptist Church of White House, Tennessee as well as vocalists Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Pat Enright, Sam Phillips and Gillian Welch. >>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Syracuse, NY

Comments: 3

Charles H. Penick from Martin Tn.mike from syracuse ny. maybe you just got a touch from the HOLY GHOST great huh
Mike from Syracuse, NyLest I forget to give props to the First Baptist Church of White House, TN, as well as such heavenly vocalists as Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Pat Enright, Sam Phillips and Gillian Welch, all of whom sing backup on this song. Of course, all of this without benefit of musical instruments of any type. This is sung a cappella, and the harmonies are wonderful.
Mike from Syracuse, NyI am going to include a quote here that comes from a review of an Alison Krauss CD on allmusic.com because the writer puts it much more eloquently than I ever could. I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here. "The simple fact is that every time Krauss opens her mouth to sing, angels stop what they're doing and take notes. There may be no musical pleasure quite as pure and sweet as listening to Krauss sing "Baby, Now That I've Found You" or "When You Say Nothing at All." And when she starts in on the impossibly beautiful gospel tune "Down to the River to Pray," the effect is almost disturbingly moving."

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Wrecking BallMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus didn't write "Wrecking Ball" but could very much relate to it. She was having problems in her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, so the theme of giving your love only to have it wrecked really resonated with her.

Just A GirlNo Doubt

Gwen Stefani wrote "Just a Girl" as a message to her overprotective father.

Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve

"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve samples an obscure orchestral arrangement of the 1965 Rolling Stones song "The Last Time." The Verve had to sign away most of the royalties before they could release the song.

Midnight RiderThe Allman Brothers Band

A roadie for the Allman Brothers came up with the line "The road goes on forever" for "Midnight Rider," and got a songwriting credit for his contribution.

WomanizerBritney Spears

"Womanizer" was Britney Spears' comeback song, going to #1 about 10 months after she was institutionalized to get treatment for addictions and mental health issues.

Video Killed The Radio StarBuggles

"Video Killed The Radio Star" by Buggles was the first video to air on MTV when the network started broadcasting on August 1, 1981.