An American Trilogy

"An American Trilogy" is a song arranged by country songwriter Mickey Newbury and made popular by Elvis Presley. Presley began performing the song in concert in 1972—a February recording was released by RCA as a single. Presley performed the song in the 1972 documentary, "Elvis On Tour", as well as his 1973 international satellite telecast "Elvis—Aloha from Hawaii". "An American Trilogy" is a medley of three 19th century songs—"Dixie", a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem Confederacy since the Civil War; "All My Trials", originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals, and well-known through folk music revivalists; and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War.

The song is referenced and partially sung in the Manic Street Preachers' song "Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier" from the "Everything Must Go" album, and is covered by Manowar on their "Warriors of the World" album.

The original Mickey Newbury version reached #26 in 1972, and reached the top ten of Billboard's Easy Listening chart.

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Lyrics:
Oh how I wish I was
In the Land of cotton
Old times there are not forgotten
Look away, look away
Look away, Dixie Land

Chorus:
Oh I wish I was in Dixie
Away, away
In Dixie Land I take my stand
To live and die in Dixie

For in Dixie Land
where I was born
Early Lord one frosty morn
Look away, Look away
Look away Dixie Land

Glory, Glory Hallelujah
Glory, Glory Hallelujah
His truth is marching on

So hush little baby don't you cry
You know your daddy's bound to die
for all my trials Lord
will soon be over

Glory, Glory Hallelujah
Glory, Glory Hallelujah
His truth is marching on
His truth is marching on

See also

* Glory, Glory

References