Down To The River To Pray - From “O Brother, Where Art Thou” Soundtrack

Krauss recorded this traditional folk tune for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The movie's soundtrack featured versions of old-time American songs recorded by Krauss and other artists such as Norman Blake, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch. The tracks were recorded in a relevant style to the setting of the movie in the 1930s Southern United States. The soundtrack album sold over seven million records in 2001 defying predictions that non-contemporary music was non-commercial. In 2002 it won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Krauss performed this traditional spiritual song at the Austin City Limits festival, and this performance was included on her 2002 album Live. It was the only track included on the album from the performance.

Krauss sang this a cappella with the First Baptist Church of White House, Tennessee as well as vocalists Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Pat Enright, Sam Phillips and Gillian Welch.