Down To The River To Pray - Lydia Oakeson, Isabel Oakeson, and Lyla O. of Rise UP Children's Choir

Lydia, Isabel, and Lyla Oakeson of Rise Up Children's Choir (RUCC) sing “Down To The River To Pray,” a traditional song with many names ("Down in the River to Pray" "Down in the Valley to Pray," "The Good Old Way," and "Come, Let Us All Go Down") as well as deep American roots, being described as a Christian folk hymn, an African-American spiritual, an Appalachian song, and a southern gospel song. The earliest known published version was entitled “The Good Ole Way” in 1867 in a collection of “Slave Songs of the United States.” Many know this song in modern times as re-popularized by Alison Krauss and for its use in the Coen Brothers 2000 Film, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” This gospel cover includes both acapella singing and the use of more traditional instruments. We hope you enjoy this version of this beloved American traditional tune.

MUSIC CREDITS
Vocals by Lydia Oakeson, Isabel Oakeson, and Lyla Oakeson
Clawhammer Banjo Performed by Gary Oakeson
Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Gary Oakeson    / @oakesonmusic  

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed by Amy Oakeson
Produced, Filmed, and Edited by Gary Oakeson

FOLLOW LYDIA OAKESON
YouTube:    / lydiaoakeson  
Instagram:   / lydiaoakeson  
Facebook:   / lydia.oakeson  
Website: https://www.lydiaoakeson.com

FOLLOW ISABEL OAKESON
   / @isabeloakeson244  
Instagram:   / isabeloakeson  
Facebook:   / izzy.oak.1  

ABOUT LYDIA OAKESON
Lydia is a singer, actress, dancer, YouTuber, and is a current member of Rise Up Children’s Choir where she appeared as a soloist in their music video "Spirit" from “The Lion King," and also appeared in their viral YouTube videos "Speechless" and "Show Yourself." As a former member of One Voice Children’s Choir she performed as a soloist in appearances with Alex Boyé, Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix, Jenny Oaks Baker, David Osmond, and for former President and First Lady Obama at the White House. She also performed on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, toured France in 2017, and appeared as a soloist in the One Voice Children's Choir YouTube videos “Where Are You Christmas” and “J’Imagine.” Recent favorite theatrical roles include Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Kingsbury Hall), Belinda Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Hale Center Theater Orem), Amaryllis in The Music Man (Hale Center Theater Sandy), Susan in Miracle on 24th Street (Scera), Young Fiona in Shrek, Pepper in Annie (Utah COPA), and is excited to be portraying Jane in the "Hale Center Theatre" production of Mary Poppins in Summer 2020. Lydia has won two Utah Music Video Awards in consecutive years (2018 and 2019) for her videos "Good Girl Winnie Foster" and "Colour,'" both of which can be seen here on her channel. Lydia is represented by TMG.

ABOUT ISABEL OAKESON
Isabel Oakeson is 17 years old and is currently a member of Rise Up Children’s Choir where she was featured as a soloist in their viral YouTube release of "Speechless," from Disney's Aladdin. As a former member of One Voice Children’s Choir, she had the opportunity to sing for President Barack Obama at the White House and as a featured performer with artists such as Alex Boyé, David Archuleta, Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix, Kurt Bestor, Jenny Oaks Baker, Vocal Point, and Barry Manilow. She also appeared with the choir on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” An avid musical theatre performer, Isabel has appeared with numerous production companies throughout the Salt Lake Valley including The Grand Theatre, Scera, Kingsbury Hall, the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre, Youth Theatre at the U, and Utah COPA. She is currently a member of Youth Theatre's Conservatory at the University of Utah, which is an award-winning training program for advanced high school actors. Isabel has also appeared in numerous film and modeling projects.

SELECT LYRICS
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way

O sinners, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sinners, let's go down
Down in the river to pray