Down to the River to Pray -- Alison Kraus (from O Brother Where Art Thou)

[NurseJackie]

I am not a religious person. But, I love this song... it reminds me of my maternal grandparents. My grandmother would play this on a clunky old out-of-tune upright piano they had in their house and she'd sing with such enthusiasm! 💖

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_in_the_River_to_Pray

"Down in the River to Pray" (also known as "Down to the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," "The Good Old Way," and "Come, Let Us All Go Down'') is a traditional American song variously described as a Christian folk hymn, an African-American spiritual, an Appalachian song, and a gospel song. The exact origin of the song is unknown. Research suggests that it was composed by an African-American slave.[1]

In some versions, "in the river" is replaced by "to the river". The phrase "in the river" is significant, for two reasons. The more obvious reason is that the song has often been sung at outdoor baptisms (such as the full-immersion baptism depicted in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?).[3] Another reason is that many slave songs contained coded messages for escaping. When the slaves escaped, they would walk in the river because the water would cover their scent from the bounty-hunters' dogs.[4] Similarly, the "starry crown" could refer to navigating their escape by the stars.[5] And "Good Lord, show me the way" could be a prayer for God's guidance to find the escape route, commonly known as "the Underground Railroad."

[Brother Buzz]

1. Meet George Clooney's singing voice in the film, O Brother Where Art Thou

@ 2:23 is rather amusing:

[NurseJackie]

3. I adore that movie and I kind of suspected that it wasn't George Clooney singing...

I adore that movie and I kind of suspected that it wasn't George Clooney singing. Thank you for sharing that!

[Brother Buzz]

5. George Clooney has got some chops....

but just not enough to pull it of for those heavy songs. I loved the movie, too, but had to watch it a second time to follow the story; I was totally gobsmacked with the music and missed almost everything the first go around, and there was a lot going on.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm not religious either, but

this song really got to me. I do love it.

[NurseJackie]

4. It's a nice rendition in its own right... moving and inspirational. But...

It's a nice rendition in its own right... moving and inspirational. But, the way it takes me back to being a child and listening to my granny sing-out her favorite hymns, honestly, it gives me chills... makes me smile... and brings a tear as well.

[MFM008]

6. My mom loved the music

From this movie.❤

[NurseJackie]

7. I do too. The singing from the three sirens is also hauntingly beautiful.

Voices: Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and Alison Krauss

Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby

Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
You're mama's gone away and you're daddy's gonna stay
Didn't leave nobody but the baby

Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Everybody's gone and the cotton and the corn
Didn't leave nobody but the baby

You're a sweet little baby
You're a sweet little baby
Honey and a rock and the sugar don't stock
Gonna bring a bottle to the baby

Don't you weep pretty baby
Don't you weep pretty baby
She's long gone with her red shoes on
Gonna need another lovin' baby

Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
You and me and the devil makes three
Don't need no other lovin' baby

Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Come on lay your bones on the alabaster stones
And be my ever lovin' baby