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138. Study War No More

1 Going to lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more.

Refrain:
I ain't going t' study war no more,
Ain't going t' study war no more,
Ain't going t' study war no more,
Ain't going t' study war no more,
Ain't going t' study war no more,
Ain't going t' study war no more.

2 Going to lay down my burden,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to lay down my burden,
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more. [Refrain]

3 Going to try on my starry crown,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to try on my starry crown,
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more. [Refrain]

4 Going to meet my dear old father,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to meet my dear old father,
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more. [Refrain]

5 Going to meet my dear old mother;
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to meet my dear old mother;
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more. [Refrain]

6 Going to meet my loving Jesus,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside;
Going to meet my loving Jesus,
Down by the riverside,
Going to study war no more. [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: Going to lay down my sword and shield
Title: Study War No More
Language: English
Publication Date: 1981
Topic: Negro Spirituals and Afro-American Liberation Songs
Source: Traditional
Tune Information
Name: [Going to lay down my sword and shield]
Key: G Major or modal
Source: Traditional



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

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