Peace in the Valley

The Soul Stirrers

About Peace in the Valley

"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson. The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching number seven on the Country & Western Best Seller chart. It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. In 1950, it was one of the first songs recorded by a young Sam Cooke, during his tenure as lead singer of the Soul Stirrers. After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. The song achieved enormous celebrity during Elvis Presley's third and final appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on January 6 of 1957. Before an audience estimated at 54.6 million viewers, Presley closed the show by dedicating the song to the 250,000 refugees fleeing Hungary after the 24 and 31 October 1956 double-invasion of that country by the Soviet Union. Because he also requested that immediate aid be sent to lessen their plight, the appeal in turn yielded contributions amounting to US$6 million, or the equivalent of US$49.5 million in today's dollars. Over the next 11 months, the International Red Cross in Geneva, with the help of the US Air Force, organized the distribution of both perishables and non-perishables purchased with the above-mentioned funds (Swiss Francs 26.2 million, at the then 4.31 CHFR-US$ exchange) to the refugees in both Austria and England where they settled for life. On October 15, 1957, Presley's first Christmas album, containing a master studio recording of the song, was released, topping the Billboard Charts for 4 weeks and selling in excess of three million copies, as certified by the RIAA on 15 July of 1999. Because of these extraordinary developments, István Tarlós, the Mayor of the city of Budapest, in 2011 and as a gesture of belated gratitude, named a park after him, as well as making him an honorary citizen.  


Year:
1984
2:40
137 

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Oh, there will be peace in the valley, one day
There will be peace in the valley for me, I'll pray
Oh, no sadness, no sorrow
No more trouble, there will be
There will be peace in the valley for me

Whoa, you know the bear will be gentle
You know the wolf's gonna be so tame
Mighty lion, you will lie down with the lamb
Oh yes
I know the horse from the wild
Will be led by a little child
And I'll be changed from this creature that I am

Well, o well, o well, o well, o there will be peace, child
In the valley, for me
One day, o there will be peace, child
In the valley, for me
I pray
Oh, no more sadness, no sorrow
No more trouble, there will never be
There will be peace, in the valley
For me

O, there will be peace, child
In the valley, for me
One day, whoa, there will be peace, child
In the valley, for me, one day
Whoa, no sadness, no sorrow
No more trouble, there will never be
Yes, there will be peace, yea in the valley
Yea for me

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The Soul Stirrers

The Soul Stirrers are an American gospel music group, whose career spans over eighty years. The group was a pioneer in the development of the quartet style of gospel, and a major influence of soul music, doo wop, and motown sound, some of the secular music that owed much to gospel. more »

4 fans

Written by: Thomas A. Dorsey

Lyrics © Tratore, Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Peace in the Valley" is not original to any of the mentioned artists. It is a gospel song written in 1937 by Thomas A. Dorsey, a famous gospel music composer.
Red Foley's Version
"Peace in the Valley" made history when Red Foley and The Sunshine Boys recorded it in 1951, becoming the first gospel recording to sell one million copies.
Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires
Elvis Presley made the song more popular in 1957 with back up vocals by The Jordanaires. Presley’s recording, though not the original, is one of the most recognized versions of this song.
Johnny Cash's Connection
Johnny Cash made a famous cover of "Peace in the Valley." Cash’s rendition of the song was included in his 1959 album 'Hymns by Johnny Cash'.
Little Richard’s Version
Though Little Richard is not widely recognized for his gospel recordings, he also recorded a soul-stirring version of "Peace in the Valley."
Ann-Margret's Cover
Ann-Margret, a popular Swedish-American actress, singer, and dancer, also covered this song. Her version appeared in her 1961 debut album, 'And Here She Is: Ann-Margret'.
Loretta Lynn's Performance
Loretta Lynn, the "Queen of Country Music," included the song in her 1972 album, 'God Bless America Again'.
Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers
Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers recorded a rendition of "Peace in the Valley" before Cooke left The Soul Stirrers to pursue his solo career. Their version brought the song to the R&B and soul music scene.
Jo Stafford's Presentation
Jo Stafford, an American pop singer and actress, offered an emotive delivery of "Peace in the Valley" adding her unique style to the song.
George Jones’ Contribution
Country music legend George Jones included "Peace in the Valley" in his 2003 album, 'The Gospel Collection'.
Ronnie Milsap's Inclusion
Ronnie Milsap, a blind country and pop singer, has also included the song "Peace in the Valley" in his 2009 album, 'Then Sings My Soul'.
Legacy and Recognition
"Peace in the Valley," has been covered by many other artists apart from those listed, among them B.B. King, Arlo Guthrie, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The song has left a significant footprint in both the gospel and popular music scene.
The Light Crust Doughboys
Though The Light Crust Doughboys, a pivotal western swing band established in the 1930s, didn't record a version of "Peace in the Valley," they contributed significantly to the popularity of country and gospel music during their active years.

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