The earliest known version of Down In The River To Pray was entitled “The Good Old Way” and found in a book entitled Slave Songs of the United States which was published in 1867. The contributor of the song was a George H Allan of Nashville Tennessee.
Various versions of the lyrics have been traced over the years. Some are entitled Down in the Valley to Pray, while others use the words Down to the River rather than Down in the River. Others are called Come, Let us all Go Down.
The words “down in the river” are obviously linked with full-immersion baptism which is used in many branches of the Christian church, and pre-dates Christianity with Jesus himself being baptised in the River jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3: 13-17). Ritual washing and immersion is also used in many other religions. Water is important in religions including Christianity for other reasons too, witness holy water, holy wells and springs, and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
Down In The River To Pray has been recorded many times including a number in 21st century. The best known recording is by Allison Krauss. This recording was used in the film “Brother, Where Art Thou” which was released in the year 2000.
We use Noia’s arrangement, here is an example performed by – actually I’m not sure of the name of the group.