Down By the Riverside

Annotation — Civil Rights Songs

The A-side, "Down By the Riverside", was often used as an anti-war, and Civil Rights song during the 1960s period.1 It also featured on the 1967 album Waist Deep in the Big Muddy and Other Love Songs (Columbia Records # CS 9505). Sources1Wikipedia: Down by the Riverside↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield / Down by the riverside... / I ain't gonna study war no more / Ain't gonna study war no more.. / I'm gonna walk with that Prince of Peace / Down by the riverside... / I'm gonna lay down that atom bomb / Down by the riverside... / I ain't gonna study war no more / Ain't gonna study war no more

Notes

Columbia 4-44273, white "Not for Resale — Radio Station Copy" pressing; "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" (P. Seeger), 2:54, matrix JZSP 119552, publisher "Meldoy Trails, Inc. (BMI)", backed with "Down by the Riverside", 3:13, matrix JZSP 119551, publisher: Public Domain; both produced by John Hammond. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Iconic American contemporary folk singer, Pete Seeger (born 3 May 1919 in Manhattan, New York, USA, died on 27 January 2014, same location) played a key role in the 1950s contemporary folk revival and the 1960s anti-war and Civil Rights movement. He often wrote political songs, protesting against war, segregation, and calling for environmental protection. His body of songs referencing the Vietnam War is significant in both themes and volume: "The Willing Conscript" on the album Broadside Ballads Volume 2 (1963); "Beans in My Ear", "King Henry", and "The Draft Dodger Rag" on Dangerous Songs!?…

Themes

Anti-War · Civil Rights

In collections

Civil Rights Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years] · Pete Seeger Songs