The last two times I’ve been to church (at different churches) I’ve got to sing and play this song and it’s great to sing in a large group. Made most famous by it’s appearance in the film Brother Where Art Thou I’ve changed the words slightly to include some beatitudes. The first time I played it was with the ridiculously talented Paul Gioia. Always a blessing and a curse playing with him. You get to see how much potential music has but you get to realise how much you have to learn.
Here's Alison Krauss singing it...
Down to the River to Pray
(Beatitudes Version)
As I went (E)down to the river to pray, (B)Studying about that (E)good old way
And (E)who shall wear the robe and crown, Good (B)Lord, (A)show me the (E)way
(B)O, sisters, (E)let's go down, (A)let's go down, come on (E)down,
(B)O, sisters, (E)let's go down, (A)Down to the river to (E)pray
(other verses identical pattern)
As I went down to the river to pray, Studying about that good old way
And how the poor shall wear a crown, Good Lord, show me the way
O, brothers, let's go down, let's go down, come on down,
O, brothers, let's go down, Down to the river to pray
As I went down to the river to pray, Studying about that good old way
And how the meek shall wear a crown, Good Lord, show me the way
O, fathers, let's go down, Let's go down, come on down,
O, fathers, let's go down, Down to the river to pray
As I went down to the river to pray, Studying about the good old way
And the merciful who'll wear a crown, Good Lord, show me the way
O, mothers, let's go down, Let's go down, come on down,
O, mothers, let's go down, Down to the river to pray
As I went down to the river to pray, Studying about the good old way
And the peacemakers who'll wear a crown, Good Lord, show me the way
O, sinners, let's go down, Let's go down, come on down,
O, sinners, let's go down, Down to the river to pray
As I went down to the river to pray, Studying about the good old way
And the pure in heart who'll wear a crown , Good Lord, show me the way
© Traditional - Beatitude additions Chris Summerfield
No comments:
Post a Comment