Down To The River To Pray

Album: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Play Video
  • As I went down in the river to pray
    Studying about that good ol' 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 ol' 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 ol' 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 ol' way
    And who shall wear the robe and crown
    Good Lord, show me the way

    O mothers, let's go down
    Come on down, don't you wanna go down?
    Come on, mothers, let's go down
    Down in the river to pray

    As I went down in the river to pray
    Studying about that good ol' 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 ol' way
    And who shall wear the robe and crown
    Good Lord, show me the way Writer/s: Traditional
    Publisher: HAL LEONARD LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?