This is an old Appalachian spiritual from the 19th century that's in the public domain. It sometimes goes by the name Down to the River, but the first written versions used valley instead of river, so that's what I did here. It was sung by slaves working the field and first appeared in a book of slave songs in 1867. suzyrene brought it to my attention on tumblr.

I love this song and added some oooohs over the verses. I think this is a great song to build on, and I would love to hear other voices on it +harmonies. It just begging for a whole chorus of people. I tried coming up with a harmony after I composed the ooooh harmony, but it wasn't working, so I figured I'd throw it out to you guys.

The lyrics - roughly - are below. I didn't deviate hugely, but they're not 100% accurate.

As I went down in the valley to pray

Studyin' about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way

Oh fathers let's go down

Let's go down come on down

Oh fathers let's go down

Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray

Studyin' about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way

Oh mothers let's go down

Come on down don't you wanna go down

Come on mothers and let's go down

Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray

Studyin' about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way

Oh brothers let's go down

Let's go down come on down

Come on brothers and let's go down

Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray

Studyin' about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way

Come on sinners and let's go down

Let's go down oh, come on down

Come on sinners and let's go down

Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray

Studyin' about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way