Alison Krauss made this song quite popular in the 2000 Coen brothers' film “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? where the lyrics were changed to “as I went down to the River to pray.” This was done, presumably, to adjust to the fact the scene was filmed next to a river, not a valley. This old Black spiritual was first collected in 1867 in a book entitled Slave Songs of the United States. Although the lyrics were apparently from slave sources the title may have been borrowed from “The Good Old Way,” which was written and published in 1835 by the famed composer William Walker. (Source of information for the song is from The Bluegrass Gospel Songbook by Wayne Erbsen)Our version of this song has two guitars and a fiddle, as well as vocals. Our version of this song retains the original lyrics, (except in one verse).Blessings,Shiloh Worship Music"Down To The River To Pray"originally called “"Down To The Valley To Pray"or “The Good Old Way”As I went down in the Valley to prayStudying about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the starry crown?Good Lord show me the way!O sisters let's go downLet's go down, come on downO sisters let's go downDown in the  Valley to prayAs I went down in the Valley to prayStudying about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the robe & crown?Good Lord show me the wayO brothers let's go downLet's go down, come on downCome on brothers, let's go downDown in the  Valley to prayAs I went down in the river to prayStudying about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the starry crown?Good Lord show me the wayO fathers let's go downLet's go down, come on downO fathers let's go downDown in the river to prayAs I went down in the Valley to prayStudying about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the robe and crown?Good Lord show me the wayO mothers let's go downCome on down, don't you wanna go down?Come on mothers, let's go downDown in the river to prayAs I went down in the river to prayStudding about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the starry crown?Good Lord show me the wayO sinners, let's go downLet's go down, come on downO sinners, let's go downDown in the  Valley to prayAs I went down in the  Valley to prayStudying about that good ol' wayAnd who shall wear the robe and crown?Good Lord show me the way© 2012 Shiloh Worship Music COPY FREELY;This Music is copyrighted to prevent misuse, however,permission is granted for non-commercial copying-Radio play permitted- www.shilohworshipmusic.com