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 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

Let's go 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!