Down by the riverside

This is a massive crowd-pleaser, and it goes on a journey from a sparse, philosophical opening (newly composed for this arrangement, with the lyrics “Why don’t we lay down our arms? Instead, we lay down our lives”), through a variety of treatments of the well-known melody, accelerating towards a barn-storming finale. Each chorus is very similar, with very slight variations to keep it interesting, whereas the verses each have their own individual character. There’s the opportunity for some simple clapping and stamping towards the end (not at all complex).