DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"down by the riverside" is a traditional African American spiritual dating back to the late 19th century. The song conveys themes of peace, redemption, and joyful anticipation of a better life, often associated with gospel and communal singing.

The earliest recorded versions were made by early gospel and folk singers in the 1920s. Jazz, swing, and big-band versions appeared later, with artists such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington adapting the tune for instrumental arrangements.

The song uses a call-and-response structure and simple, repetitive melodic lines, making it easy for improvisation and group performance while preserving its uplifting, spiritual message.