Down to the River to Pray

Attributed to George H. Allan in the Slave Songbook of 1867

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and 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 river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way!

O mothers let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Come on mothers let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old 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
Come on fathers let's go down
Down in the river to pray