“Down By the Riverside (Study War No More)”

Description

"I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield Down by the riverside... And study war no more." The singer describes coming to heaven, and living in peace with Jesus.

Same tune

• Three Little Maids, "Ain't Gonna Study War No Mo'" (Bluebird B-5860, 1935; rec. 1933)

Recordings

• Dixie Jubilee Singers, "I Ain't Gonna Study War No More" (Banner 7237/Domino 4206/Challenge 937 [as Jewel Male Quartet], 1928)
• Elkins Payne Jubilee Singers, "Down By the Riverside" (Paramount 12071, 1923)
• Fisk University Jubilee Quartet, "I Ain't Goin' to Study War No More" (Columbia A3596, 1922; rec. 1920)
• Jimmie Lunceford & his Orch. "I Ain't Gonna Study War No More" (Columbia 26938, n.d.; Columbia 35567, 1940)
• [Lester] McFarland & [Robert] Gardner, "Down By the Riverside" (Brunswick 108/Vocalion 5127, 1927; rec. 1926?)
• Golden Echo Quartet, "Study War No More" (Deluxe 1005, 1945)
• Memphis Minnie [Lizzie Douglas], "Down by the Riverside" (Conqueror 9936, 1941)
• Missouri Pacific Diamond Jubilee Quartette, "Study War No More" (OKeh 8472, 1927)
• Morehouse Quartet, "Down by the Riverside" (OKeh 4887, 1923)
• C. Mae Frierson Moore, "Going to Study War No More" (Paramount 12323, 1925)
• Norfolk Jubilee Quartet, "Down by the Riverside" (Paramount 12445, 1927)
• Oak Ridge Quartet, "Ain't Gwine to Study War No More" (Capitol 40057, 1947)
• Pete Seeger, "Study War No More" (on PeteSeeger14) (on PeteSeeger15) (on PeteSeeger44) (on PeteSeeger48)
• Pete Seeger & Sonny Terry, "Study War No More" (on SeegerTerry)
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "Down By the Riverside" (Decca 48106, n.d. but probably 1950s)

References

1. BrownIII 624, "Old Satan's Mad" (5 text, of which the short "A" text is probably "Free at Last"; "B" is a variation on "Down By the Riverside (Study War No More)"; "C" has the "Old Satan's Mad" stanza but a "climbing Zion's walls" chorus; D" is an unidentifiable fragment perhaps related to "I Belong to that Band; and "E" is also a fragment, perhaps of "Free At Last")
2. Sandburg, pp. 480-481, "Ain' Go'n to Study War No Mo'" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. BrownIII 566, "Down by de Ribberside" (1 text)
4. PSeeger-AFB, p. 50, "Study War No More" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Silber-FSWB, p. 281, "Study War No More" (1 text)
6. DT, WARNOMOR
7. Roud #11886
8. BI, San480