Lyrics Page
Down To The River To Pray
685 views
Oct 13, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Michael W. Smith's “Down To The River To Pray” is a version of the traditional American spiritual, a song with roots in the Appalachian and African American church. It starts with the singer going down to the river to pray, studying the good old way and asking who will wear the starry crown.
The prayer in the middle of the verse is direct: good Lord, show me the way. The refrain then becomes a call to others, first to sisters, then to brothers, fathers, mothers and finally to sinners, inviting each to come on down to the river to pray. The last words invite everyone to come just as they are. The tune is slow and gentle, and the repeated structure gives a group the chance to fill in each new name. Smith includes the song on a project of hymns and spirituals, and his warm voice and sparse arrangement keep the focus on the plain words and the simplicity of the invitation. It works well in a baptism or an outdoor gathering, as an opener for a service of prayer, or at any time a congregation wants to sing something old that includes everyone. The river and the starry crown carry the hope of the earlier singers who first sang it, who prayed for guidance and for a heavenly reward during hard days.
Asking God to show the way is Psalm 25:4. People coming to the Jordan to repent are in Mark 1:4-5, and Jesus calling sinners is Luke 5:32.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
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 to the river to pray
O sisters, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sisters, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
Down to the river
Down to the river
Down to the river to pray
Down to the river
Down to the river
Down to the river to pray
Down to the river
Down to the river
Down to the river to pray
Down to the river
Down to the river
Down to the river to pray
As I went down to 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
O brothers, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
O brothers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O brothers, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
As I went down to 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 fathers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O fathers, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
O mothers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O mothers, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
O sinners, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sinners, let's go down
Down to the river to pray
O sinners, let's go down
O come on down, just as you are
Come on down
Down to the river to pray