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Down to the River to Pray

Traditional African American Spiritual

"Down in the River to Pray" (also known as "Down to the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," "The Good Old Way," and "Come, Let Us All Go Down") is a traditional American song variously described as a Christian folk hymn, an African-American spiritual, an Appalachian song, and a southern gospel song. The exact origin of the song is unknown. Research suggests that it was composed by an African-American slave.



Down to the River to Pray

Down to the River to Pray

The King's Singers

A classic Appalachian folk song originally arranged by Philip Lawson for the King's Singers and now available for SSAA. Wonderful harmonies accent the moving lyric.

Voicing: SSAA


Down to the River to Pray

Down to the River to Pray

This time-honored spiritual is said to have contained coded messages for slaves wishing to escape through the Underground Railroad. Complementing the divine and collective nature of the piece are fully realized hand and body percussion parts; the song ending with a hushed whisper.

Voicing: SSA


Down to the River to Pray

Down to the River to Pray

This time-honored spiritual is said to have contained coded messages for slaves wishing to escape through the Underground Railroad. Complementing the divine and collective nature of the piece are fully realized hand and body percussion parts; the song ending with a hushed whisper.

Voicing: SSA



Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-8 of 8 items.


King's Singers : Spirituals : Mixed 5-8 Parts : Songbook : 073999218626 : 0634061909 : 08743912

King's Singers : Spirituals

Here for the first time in one collection are well-known traditional spirituals in the King's Singers own performing editions. This third volume in the Colour of Song series contains works from their past repertoire as well as two brand new arrangements. Also includes performance notes for each song.

Songlist: Deep River, Down to the River to Pray, Joshua, Keep in the Middle of the Road, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Stand Still, Jordan, Standing in the Need of Prayer, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

More details
Voicing: Mixed 5-8 Parts | Performed by King's Singers | 6142b | Songbook | $6.95 | A Cappella


King's Singers : 40th Anniversary Collection : SATB divisi : Songbook : 884088217242 : 1423434803 : 08748224

King's Singers : 40th Anniversary Collection

To celebrate their 40th anniversary the Kings Singers compiled a collection of their most-requested arrangements from the past 15 years since the release of the still best-selling 25th anniversary songbook. Some. like "Danny Boy", "All I Ask Of You" and "Blackbird" date from earlier in the group's history but are still performed regularly by the group and choirs all over the world. Others, such as "Down To The River To Pray", "Under The Sea" and "Africa" have already established themselves in the repertoire of many groups they come in contact with on their tours. Here, then, is a carefully selected mix of folk songs, pop songs and spirituals plus the exquisite Victorian parlor song "The Long Day Closes".

Songlist: Africa, All I Ask Of You, Blackbird, Danny Boy, Down to The River to Pray, The Little Drummer Boy, The Long Day Closes, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Penny Lane, Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Under The Sea, The Water Is Wide

More details
Voicing: SATB divisi | Performed by King's Singers | 9633b | Songbook | $12.95 | A Cappella


Mack Wilberg : My Song in the Night (Anthology) : SATB : Songbook : 9780193804999 : 9780193804999

Mack Wilberg : My Song in the Night (Anthology)

The five arrangements are in various scorings. One is accompanied by piano three hands, another by organ, and the rest are for piano. Each hymn is beautifully arranged and is a wonderful addition to any service or concert programme.

Songlist: Amazing grace, Down to the River to Pray, His voice as the sound, My God, my portion, and my Love, My Song in the Nigh

More details
Voicing: SATB | 40530b | Songbook | $13.75


Mack Wilburg : My Song in the Night : SATB : Songbook

Mack Wilburg : My Song in the Night

The five arrangements are in various scorings. One is accompanied by piano three hands, another by organ, and the rest are for piano. Each hymn is beautifully arranged and is a wonderful addition to any service or concert programme.

Songlist: Amazing Grace, Down to the River to Pray, His Voice as the Sound, My God, My Portion, and My Love, My Song in the Night

More details
Voicing: SATB | 12397b | Songbook | $16.50


Sheldon Curry : <span style="color:red;">Down to the River to Pray</span> (Collection) : SATB : Songbook : 073999438284 : 08743828

Sheldon Curry : Down to the River to Pray (Collection)

If you enjoyed singing Sheldon Curry's arrangement of Down to the River to Pray, you'll absolutely love this collection! Containing five new arrangements (plus the title song) with the same Appalachian gospel flavor, this collection is unbridled fun.

Songlist: We Shall Rise, Down To The River To Pray, Precious Memories, Dear Little Stranger, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, O Come, Angel Band, The Unclouded Day

More details
Voicing: SATB | 12333b | Songbook | $7.95


Various : Novello Easy Chorals : 2-Part : Songbook & Online Audio : 9781787600447 : 14070970

Various : Novello Easy Chorals

This great collection presents a varied selection of pieces, flexibly scored in one, two, or sometimes three easy parts. Suitable for choirs of all types, each arrangement comes with helpful tips, from advice on vocal technique to developing good choral practice. There are ideas to enhance your performance beyond the music, and excersises based on the pieces to help improve your singing both individually and as a choir. Also included is access to SoundCheck (powered by Match My Sound). SoundCheck includes interactive digital features to make learning and performing the music easy and fun, for use on any device.

Songlist: Amazing grace, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Down To The River To Pray, Go Down, Moses, Have Yourself A, I Dreamed A Dream, It Must Be Love, Jingle bells, Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerich, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Make You Feel My Love, Merry Little Christmas, Over the Rainbow, Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat, Steal Away, Tears in Heaven, The Rhythm Of Life, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland

More details
Voicing: 2-Part | 10701b | Songbook & Online Audio | $21.25


Various Arrangers : The Instant Worship Choir Collection Vol 2 : SATB : Songbook : 080689473173

Various Arrangers : The Instant Worship Choir Collection Vol 2

Hymns for Praise & Worship bridges the stylistic gap between modern-day worship songs and the hymns of our Christian heritage. A select advisory board of active music ministers, Word Music staff and key choral arrangers were assembled to pinpoint fifty-six hymns from the vast array of hymnody, not only for their musical quality, but for the messages that they bring to worshippers today. Veteran choral arrangers John E. Coates and Travis Cottrell have been creating new settings of hymns for their own congregations for years. Their experience as worship leaders brought not only musicality, but also congregational and choral pragmatism to each new arrangement in Hymns for Praise & Worship.

Songlist: Born In Bethlehem, Christ Is Risen, Come, People of the Risen King, For All You're Done, He Looked Beyond My Fault, He Will See Through You, Hide Away in the Love of Jesus, Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty, How Can I Thank You Enough, I've Never Got Over Gettin' Saved, In The Cross Alone I Glory, O Worship the King, Peace Be With You, Praise The Father, Praise the Son, Remembrance (The Communion Song), Somebody Died For Me, We Will Pray, When The Stars Burn Down, Whispered Prayers, Down To the River To Pray

More details
Voicing: SATB | 7924b | Songbook | $13.95 | Companion CD Available


Various : The Big Book of Bluegrass Songs : Solo : Songbook : 884088215170 : 1423456130 : 00311484

Various : The Big Book of Bluegrass Songs

The best collection ever of 70+ bluegrass standards!

Songlist: Alabama Jubilee, Angel Band, Arkansas Traveler, Ashes Of Love, Before I Met You, Bill Cheatham, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Blue Ridge Cabin Home, Blue Yodel No. 4 (California Blues), Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues), Careless Love, Columbus Stockade Blues, Cripple Creek, Dark Hollow, Dixie Hoedown, Doin' My Time, Dooley, Down To The River To Pray, Down Yonder, East Virginia Blues, Flint Hill Special, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Foggy Mountain Top, Fox On The Run, Gold Rush, Gotta Travel On, How Mountain Girls Can Love, I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow, I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby, I Never Will Marry, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 7919b | Songbook | $19.95


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-4 of 4 items.


Down to the River to Pray : 3-Part : Roger Emerson : Songbook : 08552098 : 884088280314

Roger Emerson : Down to the River to Pray

Featured in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, this Appalachian-flavored spiritual is a unique and heartfelt expression from the soul. Now available for three-part mixed voices, your middle school choirs will shine.

Arranger: Roger Emerson | Country: Appalachia

More details
Voicing: 3-Part | Sheet Music | $2.25 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08552098 | Digital Version Available| Voicetrax CD Available


Down to the River to Pray : SSA : Audrey Snyder : Sheet Music : 00302554 : 888680967291

Audrey Snyder : Down to the River to Pray

This time-honored spiritual is said to have contained coded messages for slaves wishing to escape through the Underground Railroad. Complementing the divine and collective nature of the piece are fully realized hand and body percussion parts; the song ending with a hushed whisper.

Arranger: Audrey Snyder

More details
Voicing: SSA | Sheet Music | $2.10 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00302554 | Digital Version Available| Voicetrax CD Available


Down to the River to Pray : SATB : Sheldon Curry : Sheet Music : 08743261 : 073999432619

Sheldon Curry : Down to the River to Pray

From the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? this Appalachian-flavored spiritual is unique. Its geniune, heartfelt plea for prayer is moving...creating a Saturday night revival mood. All who sing and hear will be touched and inspired!

Arranger: Sheldon Curry

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.20 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08743261 | Choirtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: SAB, 2-Part


Down to the River to Pray : SATTBB : Philip Lawson : King's Singers : Sheet Music : 08744684 : 073999288995

Philip Lawson : Down to the River to Pray

A classic Appalachian folk song as only the King's Singers could perform it! Wonderful harmonies accent the moving lyric. Performance Time: Approx. 2:35

Arranger: Philip Lawson Performed By: King's Singers | Country: Appalachia

More details
Voicing: SATTBB | Sheet Music | $2.25 | A Cappella | video
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08744684
Other Voicings: SSAA, SSAA

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