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Down by the Riverside

January 26, 2023

For the film, see Down by the Riverside (film). For the short story by Richard Wright, see Uncle Tom's Children.

"Down by the Riverside" (also known as "Ain't Gonna Study War No More" and "Gonna lay down my burden") is an African-American spiritual. Its roots date back to before the American Civil War,[1] though it was first published in 1918 in Plantation Melodies: A Collection of Modern, Popular and Old-time Negro-Songs of the Southland, Chicago, the Rodeheaver Company.[2] The song has alternatively been known as "Ain' go'n' to study war no mo'", "Ain't Gwine to Study War No More", "Down by de Ribberside", "Going to Pull My War-Clothes" and "Study war no more". The song was first recorded by the Fisk University jubilee quartet in 1920 (published by Columbia in 1922), and there are at least 14 black gospel recordings before World War II.[3]

Because of its pacifistic imagery, "Down by the Riverside" has also been used as an anti-war protest song, especially during the Vietnam War.[1] The song is also included in collections of socialist and labor songs.[4]

Lyrics

The song has many lyrical variations, though usually, each stanza follows a standard form, with one sentence that differs from one stanza to the next. The song often begins:

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

With the chorus:

I ain't gonna study war no more
Study war no more
Ain't gonna study war no more

Other lines that can appear in stanzas, in place of "Gonna lay down my burden", include:

  • Gonna shake hands with every man
  • Gonna lay down my heavy load
  • Gonna lay down my sword and shield
  • Gonna stick my sword in the golden sand
  • Gonna try on my long white robe
  • Gonna try on my starry crown
  • Gonna put on my golden shoes
  • Gonna talk with the Prince of Peace
  • Gonna shake hands around the world
  • Gonna cross the river Jordan
  • Gonna climb up on that mountain
  • Gonna climb the road to heaven

Themes

The song suggests baptism in water, using the metaphor of crossing the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land in the Old Testament.[5] The refrain of "ain't gonna study war no more" is a reference to a quotation found in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 2, verse 4 (KJV): "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."[1]

Recordings

Artists who have recorded the song include:

Soundtrack appearances

 
Down by the Riverside as midi
Down by the Riverside as MIDI File. Chosen instrument is Alto Flute.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song was featured as a DLC in the Nintendo Wii game Just Dance 2 and Just Dance 3

It was used as background music in two episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants known as "Survival of the Idiots" and "Selling Out."

It was played in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Next Phase".

Parodies and alternative lyrics

The song was the basis of an Allan Sherman parody called "Don't Buy the Liverwurst". The tune of "Down by the Riverside" was also used in a McDonald's's 1960s jingle, "McDonald's Is My Kind of Place". In episode 72 of the animated television series Animaniacs, this song was parodied as "U.N. Me" about the United Nations Headquarters and was later released on their 2nd album, Yakko's World.

In the UK, "Down by the Riverside" was parodied for use by a radio commercial on some local radio stations (namely Mix 107) about eco-friendly travel choices (i.e. leaving the car for one day a week).

JibJab also used the melody in a song about the year 2012 in review (called "2012: The End Is Here!").[13]

An episode of Liv & Maddie had Liv singing a song about her musical group with senior citizens, "The Golden Chords, " at a retirement home, to the tune of this song.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Katz, Daniel R. (2003). Why Freedom Matters: Celebrating the Declaration of Independence in Two Centuries of Prose, Poetry and Song. Thomas Allen & Son. p. 155. ISBN 9780761131656.
  2. ^ Other early prints of Ain't gonna study war no more / Down by the riverside is: Dann, Hollis. Ed.: Fifty-eight spirituals for choral use – Boston, C. C. Birchard & Co., c1924. No notes. Utica Jubilee Singers Spirituals : As Sung at the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute of Mississippi / Taken down by J. Rosamond Johnson. With introduction by C. W. Hyne. Boston : Olivar Ditson Company, nd. Negro Spiritual. Apparently no recordings of Down by the riverside, even though the song vere on the groups repertoire. Boatner, Edward: Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New (Round Note Edition) : National Baptist Convention, Nashville Tennessee Date Published: (1927). No notes. Fisher,William Arms: 1926, Seventy Negro Spirituals, edited for low voice. Oliver Ditson Company, NY, sheet music format, pp. 60–62. Noted as Negro Spiritual. Deas, E. C. 1928: Songs and spirituals of Negro composition:
  3. ^ Blues and Gospel Records 1890–1943, 4th ed., OUP, 1997
  4. ^ Morgan, Elizabeth (2014). Socialist and Labor Songs: An International Revolutionary Songbook. Oakland, California: PM Press & Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-60486-392-5.
  5. ^ McMillin, T. S. (2011). The Meaning of Rivers: Flow and Reflection in American Literature. University of Iowa Press. p. 44. ISBN 9781587299780.
  6. ^ Al Hirt, He's the King and His Band Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  7. ^ Al Hirt, Live at Carnegie Hall Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  9. ^ Davies, Chris (1998). British and American Hit Singles. London: BT Batsford. p. 70. ISBN 0-7134-8275-3.
  10. ^ Second Story Garage. "The Dustbowl Revival perform 'Down by the Riverside'". Posted: 11:41 PM; Wednesday, December 17, 2014. [1]
  11. ^ Zielinski, Peter James. "Photo Coverage: Million Dollar Quartet Opens on Broadway". Posted: 12:04 PM; Monday, April 12, 2010. [2]
  12. ^ "Discogs.com". discogs. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  13. ^ "2012: The End Is Here!". JibJab. Retrieved 21 December 2012.

January 26, 2023
down, riverside, film, film, short, story, richard, wright, uncle, children, also, known, gonna, study, more, gonna, down, burden, african, american, spiritual, roots, date, back, before, american, civil, though, first, published, 1918, plantation, melodies, c. For the film see Down by the Riverside film For the short story by Richard Wright see Uncle Tom s Children Down by the Riverside also known as Ain t Gonna Study War No More and Gonna lay down my burden is an African American spiritual Its roots date back to before the American Civil War 1 though it was first published in 1918 in Plantation Melodies A Collection of Modern Popular and Old time Negro Songs of the Southland Chicago the Rodeheaver Company 2 The song has alternatively been known as Ain go n to study war no mo Ain t Gwine to Study War No More Down by de Ribberside Going to Pull My War Clothes and Study war no more The song was first recorded by the Fisk University jubilee quartet in 1920 published by Columbia in 1922 and there are at least 14 black gospel recordings before World War II 3 Because of its pacifistic imagery Down by the Riverside has also been used as an anti war protest song especially during the Vietnam War 1 The song is also included in collections of socialist and labor songs 4 Contents 1 Lyrics 2 Themes 3 Recordings 4 Soundtrack appearances 5 Parodies and alternative lyrics 6 See also 7 ReferencesLyrics EditThe song has many lyrical variations though usually each stanza follows a standard form with one sentence that differs from one stanza to the next The song often begins Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside 3 Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside With the chorus I ain t gonna study war no more Study war no more Ain t gonna study war no more Other lines that can appear in stanzas in place of Gonna lay down my burden include Gonna shake hands with every man Gonna lay down my heavy load Gonna lay down my sword and shield Gonna stick my sword in the golden sand Gonna try on my long white robe Gonna try on my starry crown Gonna put on my golden shoes Gonna talk with the Prince of Peace Gonna shake hands around the world Gonna cross the river Jordan Gonna climb up on that mountain Gonna climb the road to heavenThemes EditThe song suggests baptism in water using the metaphor of crossing the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land in the Old Testament 5 The refrain of ain t gonna study war no more is a reference to a quotation found in the Book of Isaiah chapter 2 verse 4 KJV nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more 1 Recordings EditArtists who have recorded the song include Al Hirt released a version on his 1961 album He s the King and His Band 6 and a live version on his 1965 album Live at Carnegie Hall 7 American R amp B and boogie woogie pianist and singer Little Willie Littlefield recorded a version for his 1997 album The Red One Arty Hall amp His Radio Rubes 1937 Benjamin Luxton amp David Willison 1924 Sister Rosetta Tharpe 1944 Big Bill Broonzy 1952 Bill Haley amp His Comets performed a live twist version on the 1962 album Twistin Knights at the Roundtable Bing Crosby and Gary Crosby recorded November 4 1953 8 reached No 28 in the UK charts 9 The Blind Boys of Alabama on Amazing Grace and Down in New Orleans Bunk Johnson 1942 Chimene Badi 2011 Gospel amp Soul album Chris Barber s Jazz Band 1954 Clara Ward Cliff Holland C Mae Frierson Moore 1925 Les Compagnons de la chanson under the title Qu il fait bon vivre The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Dixie Jubilee Singers 1928 Dorothy Love Coates The Dustbowl Revival 2014 10 Elvis Presley on Frankie and Johnny and Million Dollar Quartet Etta James The Four Knights The Four Lads 1953 Frederic Rzewski a classical piano version The Golden Echo Boys Of God s Bible School 1930 Golden Gate Quartet Grandpa Elliott and other artists Playing for Change project 2014 Jimmy Durante Jimmie Lunceford amp his Orchestra 1940 Jimmy Smith amp Wes Montgomery 1966 The Kingpins Louis Armstrong on Hello Louis and Louis and the Good Book Lead Belly Lester McFarland amp Robert Gardner 1927 Magomayev Muslim Soviet Union 1972 3 Mahalia Jackson Million Dollar Quartet Broadway musical and original cast recording 11 Michael Penn on Mr Hollywood Jr 1947 Dr Michael White on his album Dancing in the Sky 2004 Missouri Pacific Diamond Jubilee Quartette 1927 Moon Mullican and the Plainsmen early 1960s Morehouse College Quartet 1923 Mustard amp Gravy Dixie s Tastiest Combination 1938 Nat King Cole Norfolk Jazz amp Jubilee Quartets 1927 Oscar Celestine 1928 Paul Anka on his 1958 album Paul Anka 12 Pete Seeger Peter Paul and Mary on Around the Campfire Raffi on Bananaphone The Ramblin Riversiders The Real Ale and Thunder Band At Vespers recorded at St Laurence s Parish Church Downton by BBC Radio Solent 18 November 1984 Roy Hamilton Sam Morgan s Jazz Band 1927 The Seekers Sister Rosetta Tharpe included in the U S National Recording Registry Snooks Eaglin 1960 Sonny Terry amp Brownie McGhee Sweet Honey in the Rock on We All Everyone Of Us Taj Mahal 2013 on Divided amp United ATO Records Trini Lopez as part of a medley with Gotta Travel On Marianne When the Saints Go Marching In and Volare Van Morrison on the CD reissue of Tupelo Honey Vaughan Quartet 1924 Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis on their 2008 live album Two Men with the BluesSoundtrack appearances Edit Down by the Riverside as midi source source source Down by the Riverside as MIDI File Chosen instrument is Alto Flute Problems playing this file See media help The song was featured as a DLC in the Nintendo Wii game Just Dance 2 and Just Dance 3It was used as background music in two episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants known as Survival of the Idiots and Selling Out It was played in the Star Trek The Next Generation episode The Next Phase Parodies and alternative lyrics EditThe song was the basis of an Allan Sherman parody called Don t Buy the Liverwurst The tune of Down by the Riverside was also used in a McDonald s s 1960s jingle McDonald s Is My Kind of Place In episode 72 of the animated television series Animaniacs this song was parodied as U N Me about the United Nations Headquarters and was later released on their 2nd album Yakko s World In the UK Down by the Riverside was parodied for use by a radio commercial on some local radio stations namely Mix 107 about eco friendly travel choices i e leaving the car for one day a week JibJab also used the melody in a song about the year 2012 in review called 2012 The End Is Here 13 An episode of Liv amp Maddie had Liv singing a song about her musical group with senior citizens The Golden Chords at a retirement home to the tune of this song See also EditList of anti war songsReferences Edit a b c Katz Daniel R 2003 Why Freedom Matters Celebrating the Declaration of Independence in Two Centuries of Prose Poetry and Song Thomas Allen amp Son p 155 ISBN 9780761131656 Other early prints of Ain t gonna study war no more Down by the riverside is Dann Hollis Ed Fifty eight spirituals for choral use Boston C C Birchard amp Co c1924 No notes Utica Jubilee Singers Spirituals As Sung at the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute of Mississippi Taken down by J Rosamond Johnson With introduction by C W Hyne Boston Olivar Ditson Company nd Negro Spiritual Apparently no recordings of Down by the riverside even though the song vere on the groups repertoire Boatner Edward Spirituals Triumphant Old and New Round Note Edition National Baptist Convention Nashville Tennessee Date Published 1927 No notes Fisher William Arms 1926 Seventy Negro Spirituals edited for low voice Oliver Ditson Company NY sheet music format pp 60 62 Noted as Negro Spiritual Deas E C 1928 Songs and spirituals of Negro composition Blues and Gospel Records 1890 1943 4th ed OUP 1997 Morgan Elizabeth 2014 Socialist and Labor Songs An International Revolutionary Songbook Oakland California PM Press amp Charles H Kerr Publishing Company p 38 ISBN 978 1 60486 392 5 McMillin T S 2011 The Meaning of Rivers Flow and Reflection in American Literature University of Iowa Press p 44 ISBN 9781587299780 Al Hirt He s the King and His Band Retrieved April 6 2013 Al Hirt Live at Carnegie Hall Retrieved April 11 2013 A Bing Crosby Discography BING magazine International Club Crosby Retrieved September 18 2017 Davies Chris 1998 British and American Hit Singles London BT Batsford p 70 ISBN 0 7134 8275 3 Second Story Garage The Dustbowl Revival perform Down by the Riverside Posted 11 41 PM Wednesday December 17 2014 1 Zielinski Peter James Photo Coverage Million Dollar Quartet Opens on Broadway Posted 12 04 PM Monday April 12 2010 2 Discogs com discogs Retrieved April 1 2017 2012 The End Is Here JibJab Retrieved 21 December 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Down by the Riverside amp oldid 1118422841, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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