Free Bluegrass Gospel Hymns and Songs

Alison Krauss made this song quite popular in the 2000 Coen brothers' film “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? where the lyrics were changed to “as I went down to the River to pray.” This was done, presumably, to adjust to the fact the scene was filmed next to a river, not a valley. 

This old Black spiritual was first collected in 1867 in a book entitled Slave Songs of the United States. Although the lyrics were apparently from slave sources the title may have been borrowed from “The Good Old Way,” which was written and published in 1835 by the famed composer William Walker. (Source of information for the song is from The Bluegrass Gospel Songbook by Wayne Erbsen)

Our version of this song has two guitars and a fiddle, as well as vocals. 
Our version of this song retains the original lyrics, (except in one verse).

Blessings,

Shiloh Worship Music



"Down To The River To Pray"
originally called “"Down To The Valley To Pray"
or “The Good Old Way”


As I went down in the Valley 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  Valley to pray

As I went down in the Valley to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe & 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  Valley 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 Valley 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
Studding 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  Valley to pray

As I went down in the  Valley to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe and crown?
Good Lord show me the way


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