And who shall wear the starry crown

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way !

O sisters let's go down,

Let's go down, come on down,

O sisters let's go down,

Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way !

O brothers let's go down,

Let's go down, come on down,

Come on brothers let's go down,

Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way !

O fathers let's go down,

Let's go down, come on down,

O fathers let's go down,

Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way !

O mothers let's go down,

Let's go down, don't you want to go down,

Come on mothers let's go down,

Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old 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.

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way !

A few photographs of quiet moments from our week away accompanied by the lyrics to "Down to the River to Pray" or "Come, Let Us All Go Down", a traditional American song variously described as a Christian folk hymn, an African-American spiritual, an Appalachian song, and a Southern gospel song. The exact origin of the song is unknown but it feels fitting for the collective re-awakening we shared. I was singing this quietly in my head down at the old dam - wading in the water, listening to birdcalls, watching the sun set.