Down in the River to Pray - Bel Canto Choir Vilnius

[@rhondaboncutter5812]

As a kid in Kentucky, heard people across the road of my Grandparents house sing this song as someone was Baptised!

[@kaydol6436]

As a 80 yr old women from Ashland,Kentucky. I remember seeing the baptizing myself as a child. ☝️✝️ 🙏🏼

[@deborahmcmindes6812]

Love the conductor’s style! He elicits the mood he wants from the choir, and the audience!

[@lynettemacdonald3957]

Absolutely beautiful and joyful.

[@maryamvalley9525]

This conductor is on another level. To make a sad song like this happy is just unreal.

[@coolfeet1]

This isn't necessarily a sad song, it's a song about slaves escaping to freedom

[@olieantonetti7393]

Nothing more expressive then when humanity comes together to sing about G-d and His messenger to bring hope to His children. Hope!

[@richardtitzmann3217]

AMEN🙏🤗🌷

[@lynettemacdonald3957]

How wonderful, the smiles and clapping to that beautiful song was so amazing.❤

[@jeri8853]

They we all feeling it!!! The choir could hardly hold still!!., love it!!.,💕

[@gordonnusz6574]

Years ago, in the 1970's, we had elderly neighbors who were WWII refugees from Vilnius. They shared their harrowing experiences with us many times. How I would have loved to share this video with them to show them that their homeland was free again and capable of joy! Beautifully done! I loved watching the usually staid singers break into broad smiles and joyous movement.

[@audriusvalatkevicius690]

❤️

[@davekanak]

You are all so brilliant beautiful and blessed! Don't stop singing...the world needs it. :)

[@arrjay2662]

How can you not feel His Spirit.

[@eva_pilot]

*even atheists like me have to admit this is a BANGER*

[@abbigailcarr2725]

Atheists can’t help but sing this while mopping the floor

[@shawnpruitt4670]

@@abbigailcarr2725 beautiful folk song straight from the beautiful Kentucky Appalachian hills that I love with all my soul if it wasn't from the churches and black blues/soul music we wouldn't of had this beautiful folk music

[@nTrylo]

It’s a slave song. We should all respect it deep in our hearts.

[@Mara36832]

Atheism does not exist

[@ChristineWooley-ot9pm]

I pray it brings you to Jesus Christ. Not organized religion. The way, the truth, the life.Jesus Christ.

[@silmarillion_80085]

The clapping/stomping added SO MUCH this is great! God bless!

[@Podgurje123]

I love this fantastic performance, full of warmth and free spirit! You're great, guys!

[@theohbg1380]

Even though I don't believe in God, the energy of this song/ performance makes me think that having faith is a good thing. ps. only version that brings tears to my eyes.

[@happylady2055]

Agree.

[@muggsspongedice]

your eternal spirit is appealing to your soul there is YHVH -- this why we cry from within to without

[@sierrajacks9831]

Agree

[@holly7869]

I agree completely. Be sure and watch Alison Krauss's cover of this song

[@kaydol6436]

Come aboard brother! ☝️

[@wornoutwrench8128]

Wow, just wow, with a side of goosebumps.

[@justincase2071]

Love it! Never seen a choir song with clapping. Well done.

[@flayvrr1119]

Haven’t u seen sister act hahahah

[@carmendebenedictis-larue6250]

What choirs have you been seeing? I have so much to show you and open your eyes to

[@martinfalls6614]

Clapping, YES! This is praise. This is encouragement. This is old music dating back to the oppression of enslaved black folk in 1860s US (hence the clapping, with Eric on the downbeat). Respect! See Isaiah 55:12. Plenty of ethereal stuff from composer/conductor Eric Whitacre on KZbin if that's your jam (mine too.) Don't forget this is a Lithuanian choir. Spot-on English. (Can you sing in Lithuanian?) Unity, brothers and sisters. Thanks, Eric and choir. We need this now.

[@CaesarInVa]

Wow, I didn't think it was possible but somehow someone still managed to introduce racism and slavery into the comment feed. Well done! Give yourself a gold star for your SJW wokeness. Now, to get serious, people were clapping to religious melodies well before slavery was introduced to the US, so please, let's give the wokeness a break and just enjoy the music, ok??? Oh, one ore thing, it's kind racist to suggest as your comment seems to that clapping to religious melodies was strictly a black thing. Ever hear of the Quakers or the Mennonites?

[@rickkernell2486]

I think that you need to do more homework on the origin of this song. I have spent many years researching the beginnings of black music especially religious music. This piece has very few, if any, of the characteristic modalities of early black music. What I have found is that this work is completely consistent with harmonies, cadence and structure of the Second Great Awakening church music, probably of Upper Appalachian origin.

[@RandomDudeOYT]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

[@RitaHarvey-q7p]

Best rendition ever

[@ChristineWooley-ot9pm]

I love this song! Praise Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. This is awesome!!

[@jamesgoforth6024]

Amen and Amen !

[@ldyoung7938]

Love it! Love it! Thank you guys so much! God's Blessings to All! Stay safe! Love to All from rural Mississippi, USA!

[@Hcdav-s5y]

Awesome ladies and gentlemen. Loved it. Jan.16 ,2021.

[@AndreasJohanns]

What a Master Class in all things Eric! Look at his whole body movement, the clapping that he started...and then he stopped it. BTW, notice that even the choir members showed surprise. Such a great video.

[@Hambond477]

Every time I hear this song, I get something in my eye.

[@jamesgoforth6024]

Same here neighbor and if I didn’t get something in my eye I’d worry that something was wrong with me

[@cacampbell3654]

Love the change of that one word in the lyrics!!! 👌🏾🌟🎉💥🥳🥰

[@coolfeet1]

Wait which word was changed?

[@cedarpoplar7443]

I love you. You have made my soul proud again. Thank you very much.

[@barbaraherron-mangel1116]

I love this song. Your choir did a fantastic job

[@samgreenwood8313]

People that don't like the clapping w this song- clearly don't understand it, or its history. Stop critiquing when you have no experience or knowledge in the field. It was excellently done

[@rickkernell2486]

This is an example of a Second Great Awakening song and so the stomping and clapping are definitely part of the music...

[@Roadrunner4447]

Amen and Amen

[@kathrynaraguz4816]

I loved it.... but i was really saying '' please don't fall off the stage'' he got awefully close

[@maryamvalley9525]

They turned a really sad song very happy. Anyone who cant appreciate that doesn't deserve to be there.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

Stop telling people they have to share all your cultural referents, or accept them.

[@katcie34]

No one: Eric Whitacre: WOO

[@sandi1263]

I love this song!

[@karenlogan7021]

Lovely, uplifting rendition 💕

[@Chihi101]

that’s some top notch audience conducting

[@jubipics5130]

They really got the spirit of this song, thank you!!!

[@chenlyconke]

I knew this ish was finna be fire as soon as i seen the choir conductor's haircut

[@mariafitzgerald4781]

Eric Whitacre's hair is so iconic 😂

[@eyraudpa]

This choir and Éric are incredible and the song I've sung in so many choirs so emotional ! Thanks !!!

[@peterhanke7231]

Ein großer Respekt von mir Peter ☺️. Wundervoll ✨️❤️🤘✨️👌👍. Ein liebes Dankeschön dafür 👌.

[@warrenhuff7349]

Absolutely beautiful singing by all!

[@Ticonderoga444]

Wow! I love this. Sawyer from Lost is cool. He knows his shi.t

[@anissalovell]

at 2:05 that was funny 🤣 when he says whoo. He's really got the beat going. Everyone is shaking the ENTIRE stage!!!

[@kbahr214]

As one of my favorite pieces of music- this arrangement and execution is breathtaking. So beautiful and elegant and powerful!!! I wish it were available on Apple Music

[@errittsmith4536]

What beautiful Harmonies

[@robertrhodes4995]

the best I have ever heard ! God is good

[@antm64]

I love that the director is doing his best to get the audience to coordinate on the same beat...some people just can't do it. LOVE the enthusiasm of this director and the smiles on everyone!! I have always loved this old song...moves my very soul. Beautifully performed! Love that European and Eastern European audiences can all clap in unison when they want to show their appreciation for a wonderful performance...USA has yet to figure out that one! Ha! HA!

[@davidMisner-jx4wv]

That has to be the most beautiful song I have ever seen and heard from Allison krouse

[@keco2nd]

오~~ 정말 은혜롭습니다. 주님! 저희 기도를 들으시어 저희들의 앞길을 밝혀 주시고 올바른 길로 인도하소서. 당신의 피조물이요, 한 형제자매인 이 인류가 부디 아버지의 뜻을 따라 사랑과 평화의 길을 걷게 하소서... 성부와 성자와 성령의 이름으로... 아멘.

[@jamesgoforth6024]

I tell you this is one beautiful song sung beautifully. I tear up every time I hear it. This was like going to a revival and neighbor these young people in Lithuania got the Spirit

[@richardtitzmann3217]

I agree%100😪🤗🙏❤❤❤

[@jamesgoforth6024]

@@richardtitzmann3217 no finer feeling than having the “Spirit.”

[@richardtitzmann3217]

@@jamesgoforth6024 thank you❤ from my sole

[@jamesgoforth6024]

You’re more than welcome neighbor and may the Almighty grant you and yours many blessings. Hallelujah!!

[@richardtitzmann3217]

@@jamesgoforth6024 Thank you my brother❤ same to you and your loved ones my friend🙏🤗🌷

[@charlesmckinven9651]

To God be the glory! ✝️

[@colinkillian9265]

DUES VULT..

[@richardtitzmann3217]

AMEN🙏🤗🤗🌹

[@thelmajohnson985]

That is so beautiful 😍❤😊

[@dylanrashell3703]

Wow. Just, wow.

[@samuelreynolds9542]

That was awesome y'all 🙂👍

[@mihaeladelibas723]

WOW! Amazing!!!

[@kennethwood2089]

MARVELOUS! God bless you all!

[@bossjewls]

Absolutely amazing ♥️♥️♥️

[@jeri8853]

Love 💕 it!!! Wonderful!! Ty!!

[@richardtitzmann3217]

AMAZING 🙏🤗 BRING I TEAR IN MY EYES

[@allwynbarboza9]

Awesomeness...Amen.....

[@calebsansom8673]

I've always loved this song❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@noodengr3three825]

I wish I could have gone to one of their concerts when I was in Vilnius in Sept 2022

[@marcebeatbox4680]

Simplemente Hermoso 💕

[@MF-nv4xo]

This is a very hard song to do. I'm no choir nerd, but the harmonizing needs to be exact. And you nailed that perfectly

[@Karen-h9b]

Fantastic version of this song. I have sung it with this group and they are great!!!

[@Rainmaker65]

I thought I recognized Eric. If this is his arrangement, it skews from what I would consider his normal. Even so, fantastic job.

[@richardtitzmann3217]

I listen to this almost everyday🤗🤗🤗🙏👍

[@richardtitzmann3217]

Chris is king! AMEN🙏

[@abrahamites5441]

Fantastic Love it. Thank you

[@micheled2069]

BRAVISSIMO !!!

[@peterconnell1462]

Beautiful performance

[@jarosawwidelski9303]

Amazing.......

[@toddgeisinger2634]

Very good amen

[@rickkernell2486]

In addition to the amazing harmonies, there are a lot of beautiful women in the Choir...

[@ldyoung7938]

Ain't that the truth!!

[@davekanak]

"Down To The River To Pray" As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good ole 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 ole way And who shall wear the robe & 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 ole 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 ole way And who shall wear the robe and crown? Good Lord show me the way O mothers let's go down Come on down, don't you wanna 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 ole 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 ole way And who shall wear the robe and crown? Good Lord show me the way

[@peterhanke7231]

Respekt für Ihren Text. Achtung von meinerseits. 👍👌. Ein lieber Gruß von mir aus Sachsen .

[@staganomal9447]

Awesome

[@richardtitzmann3217]

This pastor is amazing

[@JM-yb3qs]

i love it!

[@vaughnslavin9784]

Thank you!

[@GingerLeeH]

beautiful❤

[@TheCuriousNoob]

The conductor looks like the Matt mercer of choir conductors! Well done

[@JH-kw8zy]

They get it! 🥹

[@theodorezudyk5311]

Lithuanian women and men are still the hansomest anywhere. Ted

[@jonefre]

Beautiful! I'd love to hear you guys sing 'Jubilate Deo' by Dan Forrest. :) I think you'd have a lot of fun with it!

[@imochiexe5056]

Awesome!

[@emjay5712]

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 sisters let's go down Let's go down, come on down Come on sister 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 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 Come on fathers let's go down Down in the river to pray

[@franallfriends9537]

I think and pray for Alfonsas Svarinskas (1925-2014), Lithuanian hero, pastor and chaplain. Perm-35 is not forgotten.

[@frankJacksonmusakali]

gosh I love Erick Whitacre

[@BearWolf21]

Bella!

[@xxannxx87]

The conductor...!!

[@NotDecided420]

Did they cut out the "sinners" line? Lovely song. A little too old testament in it's original version for my liking. I don't like being called a sinner. 😂

[@mjcard]

We are all imperfect. That’s what sinners means.

[@cacampbell3654]

@@mjcard The word “sinners” in English is complex and highly charged. Please don’t assume you know what that word means *for everyone*! You do not.

[@mjcard]

@@cacampbell3654 Do tell.

[@johnpaulburgueno326]

@@cacampbell3654 everyone has sinned Jesus died for all our sins, there is only one perfect person and that is Jesus.

[@fbagbey]

Love it. Do not mind the clapping too much. Would, to me, would be more spiritual without the clapping. Compare the feeling after the clapping stops. Powerful. Thank you, Bel Canto Choir Vilnius, from North Carolina!

[@aminaalquhaar9682]

The history of this song--the clapping/thumping/swaying, etc. is true to its historical roots-- like a ringshout. Check that out on Smithsonian KZbin and lookup the purpose and history of ringshouts

[@lawrencevandenberg7725]

Yeah, yeah, 'n all that, but the solo is the song's heart--an invocation, more than an invite, to prayer and surrender, more than to a hootenanny...

[@augustacallmill6233]

Wow

[@holyspiritandkevin8441]

That was excellent. Where is this Vilnius place?

[@TarvoMetspalu]

Lithuania, Baltic States

[@audriusvalatkevicius690]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Tony-kc8zy]

Look at the faces as they sing.

[@matts156]

Lina has been working out or something because she looks amazing!

[@andriaprokopa8106]

what is the arragement of this edition?

[@ferdinand5384]

Does anyone know where I can find this arrangement. Love the energy!!!

[@tjblues01]

The soloist has 100% jazzy voice.

[@walquirialobato5313]

Lindona!

[@edunetto1]

woooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[@joshuacollier563]

No lie didn’t like the guy at first but he started killing it at one point

[@CharlesReiche]

Sounds better inside of a grain bin.