​Down To The River To Pray Mandolin / Banjo Tab

Piano / flute letter notes included for beginners. Meaning of "Down to the River to Pray""Down to the River to Pray" is a traditional American gospel and folk song with deep spiritual significance. It is often associated with religious revival movements, baptism, and themes of redemption. The song gained widespread recognition after Alison Krauss recorded a hauntingly beautiful version for the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Origins and Background

• The song’s exact origins are unclear, but it is believed to be an African American spiritual or Southern gospel hymn dating back to the 19th century.
• Some researchers suggest that it may have originally been a slave spiritual, with coded messages about seeking freedom through waterways (similar to songs like Wade in the Water).
• Others link it to Appalachian folk traditions, as it has a melodic structure similar to early American hymns.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Baptism and Spiritual Cleansing:
   • The river is often a symbol of renewal and rebirth in Christian traditions, referencing biblical passages about baptism.
   • The lyrics encourage people ("sisters," "brothers," "fathers," etc.) to go "down to the river to pray," suggesting a communal act of faith and transformation.
2. Salvation and Seeking Divine Guidance:
   • The repetition of "Good Lord, show me the way" expresses a desire for divine direction and enlightenment.
3. Inclusivity and Unity:
   • The song calls out to different groups ("mothers," "fathers," "sinners"), implying that salvation and grace are available to all.

Modern Popularity and Impact

• The song was revived in the folk and bluegrass revival movements and has been performed by many artists.
• Alison Krauss’s version, featured in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, introduced it to a global audience and emphasized its hauntingly beautiful, meditative quality.
• It is often sung at baptisms, church services, and folk music gatherings.

Down To The River To Pray easy mandolin / tenor banjo tab in the key of G Major for beginners. A traditional Christian song. The chords are in G Major. The basic easy to follow letter notes are included to match the sheet music. In the letter note version that B note with the comma is a low B note.

Down to the river to pray letter notes for mandolin / piano or flute.
All of the notes in CAPITAL letters are the low notes up as far as B.
​All the notes in small letters are the higher notes pas B.
Ebook of letter notes here .

Ebook of banjo / mandolin letter notes for beginners here

​​​Below is the list of songs [ tabs ] included in the Mandolin ebooks. The price is €7.90 
and I'll email the download links after payment. Standard tuning GDAE, 
You'll receive every song listed below which is around 800 and a mix of folk, ballads, pop and rock.
Now including a free Beatles ebook of songs and another of Irish rebel songs plus Christmas songs and hymns.
Also included is a 500 page ebook of lyrics and chords for the mandolin / tenor banjo in 3 different easy keys.
Martin

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