You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Down by the Riverside

Representative Text

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,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside.
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 lay down my burden,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside;
gonna lay down my burden,
down by the riverside,
down by the riverside.
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.

Source: Community of Christ Sings #321

Text Information

First Line: Goin' to lay down my sword and shield
Title: Down by the Riverside
Source: African American spiritual
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Ain't goin' to study war no more
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #10184
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

Instances (1 - 11 of 11)
TextPage Scan

Chalice Hymnal #673

TextPage Scan

Community of Christ Sings #321

Text

Lift Every Voice and Sing II #210

New Songs of Inspiration (vol. one) #162

Praise y Adoración #168a

Text

Singing the Living Tradition #162

TextPage Scan

Songs of Zion #138

Songs #32a

TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #625

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #10184

TextPage Scan

Worship in Song #295

Include 34 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.