Down by the Riverside

Learn these first. The dots are where your fingers go, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little finger); an open circle means play that string open, and × means don’t play it.

About this tune

The last tune puts it all together. Down by the Riverside is a simple tune on three chords; we’ve dressed it up the way jazz players do, with the moves from the earlier tunes: Dm7 to G7 (a ii–V) at the two cadences, C7 leading to F, and A7 pulling towards Dm7. The first bar is the pickup (“I’m gonna”), and we count it as bar 1. The rhythm is busier than anything so far, with quick pairs of notes, so take it slowly first.

How to practise it

Learn the six chords. You know four of them already; the new ones are Dm7 and A7.
Strum with Chords only. Bars 8, 9, 11 and 12 change chord halfway, on beat 3: Dm7 to G7, C to C7, C to A7, then Dm7 to G7 again.
Learn the tune with Slower on, a line at a time. The quick pickup E, E, D♯ (“I’m gon-na”) is the open high E string twice, then D♯ on the B string, 4th fret, and back to the open E for “lay”.
Then play the plain version: sing or play the tune over just C, F and G7, and hear what the extra chords add.

A short history

A spiritual about laying down weapons and living in peace (“ain’t gonna study war no more”). Its roots are older, but it was first printed in 1918.

It became a favourite of New Orleans brass bands and gospel singers, and later a song of the peace movement. Jazz bands play it at a bright, bouncing tempo, with everyone joining in on the chorus.

Where the tune comes from

Melody as on our kids’ piano page for Down by the Riverside (Frank Nordberg, Musica Viva, compared with Jack Campin’s setting), moved up an octave for guitar notation. Chords ours.

Quick facts

Tune: Traditional (African-American spiritual, printed 1918)
Key: C major
Time signature: 4/4
Length: 12 bars, plus a pickup bar
Tempo: Swing, crotchet = 100
Chords: C, G7, Dm7, C7, Fmaj7, A7
What it teaches: Putting it together: dressing up a simple tune with ii–V moves
Place in the course: Tune 10 of 10 (Jazz harmony)

Questions and answers

Which chords are in Down by the Riverside?

C, G7, Dm7, C7, Fmaj7, A7. The chord boxes above show where to put your fingers, and each has a Hear it button.

Is Down by the Riverside free to use?

Yes. Down by the Riverside is a traditional tune that is out of copyright (Traditional (African-American spiritual, printed 1918)). The guitar arrangement and chords here are ours, free for personal and classroom use.

How do I read the TAB under the music?

The six lines are the guitar’s strings, the high E string on top. A number is the fret to press (0 means play the string open). The music above it shows the rhythm, and is written an octave higher than the guitar sounds, as all guitar music is.

How fast should I play it?

Slowly at first. Press Slower to hear it at 70% of the speed, and only speed up when it feels easy. The full tempo is Swing, a crotchet (quarter note) = 100.

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The chords

The music