Vocal Lesson For Choir: Down By The Riverside / A Better Place

Down by the Riverside is a Negro spiritual first published in 1918 The song has alternatively been known as “Study war no more”and has also been used as an anti-war protest song, especially during the Vietnam War. The song is centred on the idea of abandoning pessimism and aggression, and putting on new spiritual clothing, at the side of a river before crossing it.  The song has several lyrics variations. Here is one of the most common versions.

Verse:

I’m Gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside (3×)
Gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside

Chorus:

I ain’t gonna study war no more
Study war no more
Study war no more

 

 

Let’s now look at the three part harmony for Down By The Riverside in F.

Voice 1:

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Voice 2:

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Voice 3:

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In groups of 2 students, choose a chorus from one of the 2 songs.

Use a similar rhythmic and melodic phrasing but replace the original lyrics with your own text and using your own language instead of English.

Choose a particular theme to develop the lyrics if needed.

After each group has created its own lyrics, each group sings it with the full group.

> See example of a verse adapted to a different language in the PFC version of Down by the Riverside at 1:42