| "Peace in the Valley" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Mahalia Jackson | |
| Published | 1937 |
| Released | 1937 |
| Genre | Christian music |
| Writer | Thomas A. Dorsey |
| Cover versions | |
| Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Screaming Trees, Faith Hill, Art Greenhaw with Tom Brumley, The Jordanaires and The Light Crust Doughboys | |
"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 No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart[1]. 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.[2]
The list of other artists who have performed the song is lengthy, with other popular renditions by Elvis Presley (with backing by The Jordanaires) in 1957; Johnny Cash from his At San Quentin live album; Loretta Lynn; Screaming Trees, as a B-side to their "Dollar Bill" single; Ronnie Milsap; Art Greenhaw with The Jordanaires, Tom Brumley and The Light Crust Doughboys for the Grammy-Nominated album starring Ann-Margret titled God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions[3] and Faith Hill, for a concert special.
"Peace in the Valley" was sung by Eddie Clendening, portraying Elvis Presley, in the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, which opened in New York in April 2010.[4] Eddie Clendening also covered the song on the Million Dollar Quartet original Broadway cast album, copyright 2010 by MDQ Merchandising, LLC.[5]