Let’s Go Down in the River to Pray

My husband and I recently heard this song for the first time while watching a television program. “Down to the River to Pray” has been called a hymn, a spiritual and an Appalachian song. Some believe it may have been a Native American Tribal song that was adapted to include Christian lyrics. It is attributed to George H. Allan in the Slave Songbook of 1867, and Alison Krauss popularized it in the 2000 film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? It has also been called by different titles such as “Down in the Valley to Pray,” “Come, Let Us All Go Down” and “The Good Old Way.” It is a deeply moving spiritual song about keeping faith during times of darkness.

For more spiritual songs see:

Hold On

This Little Light of Mine

It’s Me

Keep Me From Sinking Down

This black spiritual song was mentioned in a novel I’m currently reading. I had never heard it, so I decided to look it up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything about the history or origins, but I enjoyed listening to it, and hope you will too. We all have times when we feel as if we are sinking under overwhelming situations or responsibilities, and we need to remember that God is with us to keep us safe.

For more spiritual songs see these posts:

Were You There?

Hold On

This Little Light of Mine