PEACE IN THE VALLEY

I saw a special on TV about Elvis Presley’s early years. It ran during the anniversary of Elvis’ death. I was struck by the fact that the last song he sang on The Ed Sullivan show was the Gospel song, Peace in the Valley.

“Peace in the Valley” was written in 1939 by Thomas Andrew Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson. The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys. It was the first Gospel recording to sell one million copies, which made it a great choice for Elvis to cover so early in his career. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

Thomas Andrew Dorsey is known as "the father of gospel music". Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. Dorsey was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago from 1932 until the late 1970s. His best known composition “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” was performed by Mahalia Jackson and was a favorite of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, and “Peace in the Valley”, which was performed by dozens of performers.

I’ve heard “Peace in the Valley” done by Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Loretta Lynn and even Sam Cooke but I have to admit the Elvis version was my favorite. Perhaps it was because he was only 21 when he recorded it and his career was just blossoming. He sang it with more feeling and certain sincerity in his voice which called to me. However, each version was inspiring. In today’s world, with all the attacks on Christianity, a Rock and Roll singer would be ending his career with such a recording.

Here are the lyrics as Elvis sang it. It’s one of those songs that have a calming effect on a person. I defy you to be in a bad mood after you hear it. It can’t be done.

Peace in the Valley

Well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go along
Till the lord will come and call, call me away, oh yeah
Well the morning's so bright
And the Lamb is the light
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
(alt lyric: 'and the night, night is as fair as the day, oh yes')

Peace in the Valley - continued

(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, my Lord,
no trouble, trouble I see)
There will be peace in the valley for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolf will be tame
And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be led 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, oh my Lordy, no trouble, trouble I see)
There will be peace in the valley for me, [for me]

In these times, where government and the ACLU ignore the Constitution and war dominates the globe, it’s comforting to know we are all offered that same peace in the valley. We simply need to accept Christ as our savior.

That song touches me because of the first line. I am tired and weary for all I’ve been through, but I’ve learned that it is easy to go on. God watches over me because I have accepted Jesus into my life. No government can stop me and though the war I served in may have worn my body down I keep going on.

I like it when a song like that reaches so many people for so many years. Hymns, Gospel and contemporary Christian songs give us food for thought and when one calls out to you, let it be a daily reminder to praise the Lord. Don’t shy away from singing it out loud. Elvis sang Gospel songs early in his career and isn’t something that his career only got better.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Psalms 98:4-6