Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll, but gospel music always stayed close to his heart throughout his career. He grew up listening to it and would often play it with his musicians after a concert. In 1957, Elvis released Thomas A. Dorsey’s “Peace in the Valley” as an extended play single and also as a track on Elvis’ Christmas Album, which contained secular and traditional songs. The Jordanaires provided backup vocals. Instrumentation was Scotty Moore, (electric guitar), Floyd Cramer and Dudley Brooks (piano), Gordon Stoker (organ), Bill Black (bass), and D.J. Fontana (drums). Of course, Elvis is on vocals and guitar.
The song was originally written in 1937 for Mahalia Jackson. In 1951, it was a hit for Red Foley and Sunshine Boys. Jo Stafford recorded in 1954. Since Elvis’s version, there have been covers by Little Richard, Connie Francis, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Ann-Margret, Faith Hill and more.
Here are the lyrics to “Peace in the Valley” by Elvis Presley:
Oh well, I’m tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the Lord comes and calls
Calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning’s so bright
And the lamp is a-light
And the night, night is as black
As the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I’ll be changed
Changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Elvis Presley, please click here for “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.”
For More Golden Oldies Music
The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.
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