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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 1-13 of 13 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


Various Arrangers : The Instant Worship Choir Collection Vol 2 - CD : 1 CD : 080689849220

Various Arrangers : The Instant Worship Choir Collection Vol 2 - CD

Vibrant, choir-led Sunday morning worship can be achieved with choirs of virtually any size and with rehearsal time that may be limited to a single rehearsal! The second volume in Word's immensely popular The Instant Worship Choir Collection again features 20 exciting arrangements by some of today's most soughtafter arrangers, including Gary Rhodes, Russell Mauldin, Cliff Duren, Phillip Keveren, Daniel Semsen, Dave Williamson and Robert Sterling. The titles span every season on the church calendar and include a dynamic mix of traditional and new worship songs. This is a must-have resource for any church music library that you will surely return to again and again.

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
79240c | 1 CD | $15.95 | Companion Songbook Available


John Alexander Singers : Shenandoah: Songs of the American Spirit : 1 CD : John Alexander : G-49263

John Alexander Singers : Shenandoah: Songs of the American Spirit

John Alexander takes the listener on a musical tour of American historical touchstones, celebrating the diverse folk culture of the United States, as well as the emotions and experiences of pioneer life. The John Alexander Singers, one of America's rising professional chamber choirs, captures the essence of the American spirit in this inspirational recording. The history of our country is written in our song, and what a variety of song it is! War songs, tunes from Appalachia, gospel-all have been mined over the years by composers and arrangers of every era. This recording offers a varied program of these American works, from the well known (Shenandoah, Buffalo Gals) to the less familiar, expertly arranged for choir and sung by this nationally acclaimed American choir.

Songlist: Shenandoah, Sourwood Mountain, She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain, Down to the River to Pray, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Johnny Has Gone For a Soldier, Aura Lee, Goober Peas, He's Gone Away, Cindy, Billy Boy, Buffalo Gals, The Erie Canal, Home On The Range, The Colorado Trail, Sacramento ~ Sis Joe, How Can I Keep From Singing

More details
9004c | 1 CD | $16.95 | A Cappella


King's Singers : Six : 1 CD : 056

King's Singers : Six

After years at the pinnacle of a cappella choral music, the King's Singers show no sign of slowing down, as their creativity and number of appearances throughout the world remain undimmed. In what has been described as their 3rd generation, "Six" is a tasty sampler spanning the life of the group since their founding in the explosive rock decade of the 1960s. The spiritual "Down In The River To Pray" appeared in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", arranged by Singer Phillip Lawson, who also arranged this sublime cover of Billy Joel's "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)." Lennon/McCartney's "Blackbird" is one of the most-requested encores in the KS' live concert repertoire. "The Wishing Tree" by former Divine Comedy member Joby Talbot, was commissioned by the KS and the BBC. Irving Berlin's moody jazz classic "Blue Skies" is sung in a cool and reflective arrangement by Singer Richard Bennett. The final cut is a soaring, surreal arrangement of Neil Young's deathless, "After the Goldrush," which takes our breath away and leaves us wanting to hear much more. One forgets just how exceptional the King's Singers are, until one is able to see them live, or one settles back next to the stereo in a comfortable chair and lets the beauty of these "Six" wash over him like a subtle, perfect tide.

Songlist: Down to the River to Pray, Blackbird, The Wishing Tree, Lullabye, Blue Skies, After the Goldrush

More details
Performed by King's Singers | 7717c | 1 CD | $11.98 | A Cappella


Mormon Tabernacle Choir : American Folk Hymns and Spirituals : 1 CD : Mack Wilberg  : 5014332

Mormon Tabernacle Choir : American Folk Hymns and Spirituals

Fresh on the heels of Praise to the Man comes a work years in the making. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns and Spirituals is a stunning work of artistry featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. This collection showcases the world-class arrangements of Mack Wilberg (recently appointed as Music Director of the Choir), who has long had a passion for the music and melodies of the common man as passed down from one generation to the next. This new CD is destined to become a classic embraced by fans the world over. Featured guest performers include Alex Boye, Peggy Caan, Cheri Hancock, Mike Christiansen, and the Wasatch & District Pipe Band.

Songlist: Saints Bound For Heaven, My Song In The Night, We'll Shout And Give Him Glory, His Voice As The Sound, How Bright Is The Day, Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort, My God, My Portion, And My Love, Bound For The Promised Land, I Want Jesus To Walk With Me, Old Time Religion, The Battle Of Jericho, Deep River, Down To The River To Pray, Rock-A-My Soul In The Bosom Of Abraham, Softly And Tenderly, Amazing Grace, Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

More details
6051c | 1 CD | $15.95


T Minus 5 : Alive : 1 CD

T Minus 5 : Alive    Out of Print

The five young men of T Minus 5 got their first glimpse of fame in spring, 2000 in Ogden, Utah, winning a Weber State U. talent show. Having only been a group for one year, they entered and won the 2001 Harmony Sweepstakes Denver Regional against tough competition and went on to win "Audience Favorite" at the Finals in San Rafael. They have been on a performing rampage ever since, their energy and humor winning them new fans wherever they go. There are 16 live cuts on "Alive," some favorites: "Red Neck Avenger" (which wowed the crowd at the '01 Finals), Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," Paul Simon's "Cecilia," Bono's "All I Want," Sly Stone's "Dance to the Music," Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," "Best Years of Our Lives," "Lean On Me" and "Down to the River to Pray." T Minus 5's forte is live performance-just listen to the audience response on "Alive." Great stuff!

Songlist: Sold, Wrapped Up in You, Brown Eyed Girl, Cecilia, Folk Song Medley, All I Want, Dance to the Music, Red Neck Avenger, I Feel Good, Amen Revival, Krispy Kreme, American Woman, Stand By Me, Best Years of Our Lives, Lean on Me, Down to the River to Pray

More details
7387c | 1 CD | $14.98 | A Cappella


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-4 of 4 items.


Down to the River to Pray : 3-Part : Roger Emerson : 1 CD : 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 | $1.95 | A Cappella | video
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08744684
Other Voicings: SSAA, SSAA

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