Down In The River To Pray

From Vol. 3
Gospel Goodies

SUGGESTED KEY: A

CAPO: Fret 2

CHORD FAMILY: G

TIME SIGNATURE: 4/4

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

A Little About This Song…

Down In The River To Pray is a traditional hymn, also found as “Down To The Valley To Pray” and “Down In The Valley To Pray”. The version we hear sung today has evolved from a spiritual that appears in “Slave Songs Of The United States” published in 1867, but mostly we remember it from Alison Krauss’ recording of it in 2000 for the hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? which brought the song into the contemporary spotlight. Lots of people have recorded it since. Sing this one at church, a bluegrass or old time jam, or at just about any gathering of musicians. Expect folks to sing along.

A Related Bible Verse…

Matthew 3:16

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.