Music You Can Read®

"Down By the Riverside"
       
     
"Down By the Riverside"
 


"Down By the Riverside," Lyrics, Text Format



"Down By the Riverside," Lyrics, Text Format



Advanced syncopation, repeated melodic patterns, an augmented fourth (A4), and practicing the descending major sixth (M6) Mi\So.

Click to hear melody.
 


Description
 
  • Grade: Fifth

  • Origin: USA - African American Spiritual, circa. 1819

  • Key: G Major

  • Time: 2/4

  • Form: AB - verse/refrain

  • Rhythm: advanced: | ti ta ti | syncopation,
    | ti ti ta | (ti) ti ti/ ri | syncopation, | ri ti/ ta | syncopation , | ri ti/ ti ti ri | syncopation, | ta ta |
    ta/a_|_/ ti ti ti ri | syncopation, | ri ti/ ti ti | syncopation, | ta ti ti ri | syncopation, | ti ta/ | syncopation

  • Pitches: beginners: So La Ti Do Re Mi Fa

  • Intervals: intermediate: Mi\So (M6), La/Do/Mi ascending arpeggio (vi, Em), Ti/Mi (augmented 4th, A4), Fa\Do (P4), Do/Mi (M3), Re/Fa (m3)

  • Musical Elements: notes: half, dotted quarter, quarter, dotted eighth, eighth, sixteenth; rest: eighth; pickup beat, ties, vocal slur, repeat sign, first and second endings, verse/refrain, syncopation, arpeggio (vi, Em), repeated melodic rhythm patterns: eight rest on first beat

  • Key Words: USA history, African American History, sacred, spiritual, sword, shield, study war, golden sand, long white rob, starry crown, golden shoes, Prince of Peace, shake hands, around the world; contraction: gonna (going to), ain't (am not)

 
 


"Down By the Riverside"
also known as
"Ain't Gonna Study War No More"

           
    1. Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain:    
      I ain't gonna study war no more,
Ain't gonna study war no more,
Ain't gonna study war no more;

I ain't gonna study war no more,
Ain't gonna study war no more,
Ain't gonna study war no more.

   
   
2.
Gonna stick my sword in the golden sand;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna stick my sword in the golden sand
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
    3. Gonna put on my long white robe;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna put on my long white robe;
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
    4. Gonna put on my starry crown;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna put on my starry crown;
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
    5. Gonna put on my golden shoes;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna put on my golden shoes;
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
    6. Gonna talk with the Prince of Peace;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna talk with the Prince of Peace;
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
    7. Gonna shake hands around the world;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.
Gonna shake hands around the world;
Down by the riverside
Gonna study war no more.
   
      Refrain    
           


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Additional Formats


music

"Down By the Riverside," Music Format
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beats

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rhythm

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pitch numbers

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solfeggio

Click to Enlarge: "Down By the Riverside," Solfeggio Format
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letter names

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