Down To The River To Pray - A Folk Arrangement

I view this arrangement as a celebration and then some soul-searching inward reflection.  I've been meaning to share this arrangement for over two years now, and I have included my first performance of it in 2023, here in this video for you. Sheet music is forthcoming! 

I simply state the original tune/lyrics in my arrangements firstly, and then I tend to wander down the 'paths' and journey-ings of the arrangement as the ideas unfold.  

I've always loved this song - and as I was experimenting around in ideas of how to arrange it, I wanted it to be a joyful occasion. (It is easy to envision the river scene in the (2000) film O Brother, Where art thou,  where everyone is rushing to the river to get baptized while singing this Folk song. What a party!) 

I wanted to reflect the joy of nature, the joy of baptism, the joy of being washed clean and turning to God. I also wanted a turn inward, into a bit of a reflection on how personal a prayer is. The fact that we can take our questions to the Lord, and ask for guidance in our lives is a marvelous truth! 

Nature is a sacred space where we can retreat, and I imagine this scene where I might find a quiet spot by a river or lake, to study His word. The lyric "Studyin' about that good ol' way" ...is often how I find answers and guidance in my life. I love the quote "When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures". Sometimes I just want to shout from the rooftops to my friends and anyone who will hear the good message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you enjoy this fun, personal arrangement. 

Lyrics: Down to the River to Pray 

chorus: 
As I went down to the river to pray
Studyin' about that good ol' way,
and who shall wear the starry crown,
good Lord show me the way 

verse
Oh sisters, let's go down,
let's go down, come on down, 
Oh sisters let's go down,
down to the river to pray 

(repeat chorus)

verse
Oh Brothers, let's go down 
Oh brothers let's go down to the river
Yeah brothers, let's go down, down to the river

(party):
Come on down, come on down,
oh sinners let's go down to the river! 

Down to the river, down to the river - to pra-a-ay. 
Down to the river, down to the river to pra-a-ay. 
Down, down to the river to pra-a-ay

Oh Fathers and our Mothers let's go down, down to the river to show the way...
Oh sinners, let's go down, down to the river to pray-ay-ay-ay. 

Down to the river, Oh- studyin' about that good ol' way
Down to the river to pra-a-ayy
Wash those sins away, down to pray 

(reflection):
Down to pray 
Down to pray 
ooo-ooo-ooooh
ooo-ooo-ooooh

And I went down to the river to pray,
and the good Lord showed me the way.