Search the Community

Today perhaps more commonly known by the title "Down to the River to Pray," this traditional African American spiritual was first published as "The Good Old Way" in 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War, and is believed to originate from the Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi area. A variation of the tune was popularized by the movie 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' I wanted to familiarize people with the older version of the melody, since all the arrangements I have seen in recent years use the 'O Brother' version. As the text in the earliest published copies is very sketchily presented and 100% repetitive if taken at face value, (after the first verse, it just says, "Sister, etc." I took the liberty of modifying it slightly to add a little variety and sense of storytelling as well as harmonizing the different verses in different ways. The melody which begins at rehearsal mark C was whistled by Dick, last name unrecorded, a black pole-man on the steamboat Marion on the Ocklawaha River route in May of 1875, as transcribed in the book "Florida: Its Scenery, Climate, and History." I loved the idea of adding another musical source that would be completely novel to all but the music historians, and that in all probability the melody is Dick's own composition. There is just enough information about him that it is possible that someone researching family history may recognize him as their ancestor and add more detail to the story. I'd love to hear your thoughts! As I went down in the valley to pray, studyin' about that heav'nly day, when you shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way. Oh, mourners, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down, Oh, mourners, let's go down, down in the valley to pray. As I went down in the valley to pray, studying' about that good old way, and who shall wear the wings and crown, Good Lord, show me the way. Oh, sisters, let's go down, hand in hand, let's go down, Oh, sisters, let's go down, down in the valley to pray. As I went down in the valley to pray, studying' about that good old way! And would you wear His robe and crown? Good Lord, show me the way. Oh, brothers, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down, Oh, brothers, let's go down, down in the valley to pray. Down, down, Oh let's go down, Good Lord, show me the way... As I went down, down to the valley, green swaying' trees, show me the way. As I went down in the valley to pray, studyin' about that good old way, and you shall wear that starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way. Oh, sinners, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down, Oh, sinners, let's go down, down in the valley to pray!

The Needham Congregational Church was nice enough to let me record the choir singing this. There were only 9 singers that day, but they did a great job anyway! A piece with a gospel/spiritual/tent revival/Sacred Harp/shape note singing feel. I had great fun with the three-part women's split towards the end. To be sung at a slow walking tempo, with a strong accent on the downbeat. I marked an obnoxious number of breaths to be sure that everyone is breathing in time, to help keep the syncopations and the triplet/duplet structure together. Liberties can absolutely be taken with the soprano part, if performed by a small group with a strong soloist. It's a mighty rocky road. Traveling a mighty rocky road. "It's a mighty rocky road," she said, "it goes on forever and ever." (Sweet water divine. Sweet Savior of mine. Oh, my Jesus will find me in time. Sweet water divine.) I hear singing down the road. Can't you hear them singing down the road? "It's a mighty rocky road," she said, "it goes on forever and ever." (Sweet water, etc) All the saints been down the road, just before me, walkin' down the road. "See them walking hand in hand," she said, "though the way goes on forever."