The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #58101 Message #4106841
Posted By: Lighter
20-May-21 - 09:17 PM
Thread Name: Origins: history of Down by the Riverside
Subject: RE: Origins: history of Down by the Riverside
And here's the earliest text (to the familiar tune), from "National Jubilee Melody Song Book" (Nashville, n.d. [1918]), p. 12:
Going to lay down my burden,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Going to lay down my burden,
Down by the riverside,
To study war no more.
CHO.:
I ain't goin't study war no more,
Ain't goin't study war no more,
Ain't goin't study war no more,
Ain't goin't study war no more.
[Similarly:]
Going to lay down my sword and shield...
Going to try on my long white robe...
Going to try on my starry crown...
Going to meet my dear old mother...
Going to meet my dear old father...
Going to meet my loving Jesus...