As I went down to the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way
O sisters let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sisters 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 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 fathers let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O fathers 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 robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way
O mothers let's go down,
come on down, don't you want to go 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 sinners let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down,
O sinners 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 robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Background
Down to the River to Pray is a traditional hymn. Some believe that it was originally a song from the Hupa nation of Native Americans that was modified with Christian lyrics.
