| "There'll Be Peace in the Valley for Me" | |
|---|---|
| Song byMahalia Jackson | |
| Published | January 25, 1939[1][2] |
| Released | 1939 |
| Genre | Gospel song |
| Songwriter | Thomas A. Dorsey |
"There'll Be Peace in the Valley for Me", also known informally as"Peace in the Valley" is a 1939 song written byThomas A. Dorsey, originally forMahalia Jackson.[1] In 1951, a version of the song byRed Foley and the Sunshine Boys was a hit, and among the firstgospel recordings to sell one million copies.Elvis Presley performed the song at the close of his third and final appearance onThe Ed Sullivan Show, which reached 54.6 million viewers. The song has become one of the ten best-known gospel standards of all time, and has been performed and recorded by numerous artists.
Blues and gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey conceived the song during the pre-World War II tensions of the late 1930s while traveling via train through southern Indiana. Upon observing horses, cows, and sheep all grazing together in a small valley, Dorsey questioned why mankind can't live in peace.[3] "The Valley" in this gospel song refers toHeaven. Copyrighted on January 25, 1939 under the title "There'll Be Peace in the Valley for Me", the song often appears informally as"Peace in the Valley". Dorsey intended the song forMahalia Jackson, with whom he toured off and on through the early 1950s.
| "Peace in the Valley" | |
|---|---|
| Single byRed Foley with the Sunshine Boys Quartet | |
| B-side | "Where Could I Go But To The Lord" |
| Written | 1939 |
| Published | 1939 |
| Released | 1951 |
| Studio | Castle Studio, Nashville, Tennessee[4] |
| Genre | Gospel song |
| Length | 3:10 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriter | Thomas A. Dorsey |
The song was a hit in 1951 forRed Foley backed by the Sunshine Boys Quartet, reaching number seven on theCountry & Western Best Seller chart.[5] It was among the firstgospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a2006 entry into theLibrary of Congress'National Recording Registry.[6]
Elvis Presley performed the song at the end of his third and final appearance onThe Ed Sullivan Show on January 6, 1957 against the advice of the show's producers, who did not want Elvis to sing a gospel song on national television. Presley insisted on singing the song, which was one of his mother's favorites, saying “No, I told my mother that I was going to do ‘Peace in the Valley’ for her, and I’m going to do it,” andEd Sullivan supported his decision.[7] Introducing the segment, Sullivan noted Presley chose the selection because he felt "keenly" aboutthe recent crisis involving refugees fleeing Hungary after an invasion by the Soviet Union, and that immediate aid was needed to support them.[8]
Presley's performance of the song has been cited as changing the public's perception of Elvis from a rebel to an "all-American" boy.[7] Based on the positive response from the performance, Presley recorded the song atRadio Recorders studio in Hollywood the following week, and RCA Records included it both as the title track ofan EP released in January, as well as the singer'sfirst Christmas album released in October of the same year.[9]
The song, now one of the best-known gospel standards of all time, has been performed and recorded by numerous artists:
Lyndon B. Johnson, before his death, requested that "Peace In The Valley" be sung at his funeral, andAnita Bryant was chosen to perform the song at the ceremony in January 1973.[3]
The song was included in thejukebox musicalMillion Dollar Quartet which opened onBroadway in New York City in April 2010. The song was sung by Eddie Clendening, portraying Elvis Presley.[11] Additionally, the song was included on theoriginal Broadway cast recording.[12]
