Down in the Valley to Pray

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?'  I wanted to familiarize people with the older version of the melody, since all the arrangements I have seen in recent years use the 'O Brother' version.  As the text in the earliest published copies is very sketchily presented and 100% repetitive if taken at face value, (after the first verse, it just says, "Sister, etc." I took the liberty of modifying it slightly to add a little variety and sense of storytelling as well as harmonizing the different verses in different ways.  

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."  I loved the idea of adding another musical source that would be completely novel to all but the music historians, and that in all probability the melody is Dick's own composition.  There is just enough information about him that it is possible that someone researching family history may recognize him as their ancestor and add more detail to the story.  

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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!

Hi @pateceramics,

I love the archaic sound you provide with all sorts of parallel fifths, which I think match the style here. The beginning of section C is quite like a beginning of Motet which is interesting. Thx for sharing,

Henry

Thanks for taking the time to listen, Henry.  Yes, I think sometimes people forget that parallel fifths are discouraged in certain classical music because that helps define and distinguish one musical style from another, not because there is something wrong or displeasing about them.  They are quite at home in other musical genres.  

I'm wondering if adding all the tenuto markings at C was overkill?  It will certainly help people's timing in the middle of a chaotic text patter if they think about those stresses, but it also makes the score feel a bit cluttered.  I'm still on the fence...