Down in the valley to pray (Maggie Furtak)
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- (Posted 2023-11-07) CPDL #77026:
- Editor: Maggie Furtak (submitted 2023-11-07). Score information: A4, 12 pages, 241 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Down in the Valley to Pray
Composer: Maggie Furtak
Lyricist: Traditional
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Spiritual
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 2023
Description: Today perhaps more commonly known by the title "Down to the River to Pray," this traditional African American spiritual was first published as "The Good Old Way" in 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War, and is believed to originate from the Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi area. A variation of the tune was popularized by the movie 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' but this arrangement uses the oldest known version.
The melody which begins at rehearsal mark C was whistled by Dick, last name unrecorded, a black pole-man on the steamboat Marion on the Ocklawaha River route in May of 1875, as transcribed in the book "Florida: Its Scenery, Climate, and History." It is probable that it is his own composition.
External websites:
- Youtube demo video https://youtu.be/LNLhGgy-_Wo?si=bc0-_aSNp7L3KRf2
Original text and translations
English text
As I went down in the valley to pray, studyin' about that heav'nly day,
when you shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, mourners, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down,
Oh, mourners, let's go down, down in the valley to pray.
As I went down in the valley to pray, studying' about that good old way,
and who shall wear the wings and crown, Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, sisters, let's go down, hand in hand, let's go down,
Oh, sisters, let's go down, down in the valley to pray.
As I went down in the valley to pray, studying' about that good old way!
And would you wear His robe and crown? Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, brothers, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down,
Oh, brothers, let's go down, down in the valley to pray.
Down, down, Oh let's go down, Good Lord, show me the way...
As I went down, down to the valley, green swaying' trees, show me the way.
As I went down in the valley to pray, studyin' about that good old way,
and you shall wear that starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way.
Oh, sinners, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down,
Oh, sinners, let's go down, down in the valley to pray!