Words & Music:
traditional
I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside,
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe, (Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna put on my long white robe, (Where?) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
Well, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, (Where?) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, (A-ha) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
Recordingdate: 1956/12/04, first released on: The Million Dollar Quartet (album)
Musicians
Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Down by the Riverside:
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(piano)
(accordion)
(vocals)
(vocals)
Availability
Find available albums with Down by the Riverside.
Great song. There's again not much to say about the performance
A huge disappointment to me. A medley of "When The Saints Go Marching In" and "Down By The Riverside" sounds like a great GREAT idea, especially to a New Orleans guy like myself, and having heard Elvis sing both on the Million Dollar Quartet recording only made it seem even a better possibility. But overall, the "Frankie and Johnny" recording of this is pretty dull, with almost no trace of any soul or gospel. When you hear the "Trouble With Girls" recording of "Swing Down Sweet Chariot", you can see that it was possible to do a great version of a gospel standard even in a bad Elvis movie. It really is a shame and a more obvious missed opportunity to have created the go-to version of a standard (Living in N.O. I hear both these tracks--not Elvis's version of course--pretty constantly.)
Again a drum intro, but this time to no effect. In the end the song kinda breaks loose a bit with all the horns. The Million Dollar Q. version is superior.
Ok, these reaction must concern the Million Dollar Q. version. I like that one, loose and full of life.
I've always loved this old time, traditional and classic gospel song immensely and Elvis' December 4, 1956 performance of it was marvelous. The jazz song also titled "Down By The Riverside" from Elvis' 1966 movie "Frankie And Johnny" is an entirely different song written by totally different songwriters. I've always loved both of these songs immensely.
I very rarely play the The Million Dollar Quartet as it is IMO just a few guys having a good time without rules, but went back and listened to this and found it more than acceptable. Shows drive and feeling with the boys melding together and creating an entertaining performance.
I haven't listened to the MDQ cd in ages. But IIRC, it's a fun listen. Just the boys having fun. Paired with When The Saints Go Marching In it's part of an acceptable medley that fits the scene well in Frankie And Johnny.
I love almost most of the gospel songs because of his inspiration. But if you want to be lifted by this song, listen to the version of Charlie Rich.
Nice jam, but not more than that. MDQ is nothing i care much for. The idea of this arrists playing together is way more appealing than the reality/what we have on record.