Down By The Riverside

Elvis was first recorded singing 'Down By The Riverside' in December 1956 as part of the 'Million Dollar Quartet,' but recorded the song again in 1965, as a medley with 'When The Saints Go Marching In,' for the 1966 film 'Frankie and Johnny.'

The spiritual song dates back to the 1850's and comes from an African-American spiritual background, but was first published in 1918. 'Down By The Riverside' has various different versions, but the line "Ain't gonna study war no more" always remains. That particular line derives from a quote that was repeated twice in the Bible - "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

It is often used as a protest song and was often sung around the time of Vietnam War - some say it is also speaking about the conflict slavery invoked.