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An American Trilogy
Elvis Presley Lyrics


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Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
His truth is marching on

Woo, thank you
Thank you, you're fantastic, thank you very much

Overall Meaning

Elvis Presley's song An American Trilogy is a medley of three older songs, including "Dixie," which was known as a Confederate anthem, a Unionist abolitionist song called "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "All My Trials," a Jamaican lullaby sung by slaves. The lyrics reflect the division and brutality experienced in America during the Civil War, as well as the turbulent history of race relations.


In the first verse, Elvis sings "Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten," which refers to Dixieland, the Southern states that seceded during the Civil War. The line "Look away, look away, look away Dixieland" represents the desire to look back in nostalgia to a time when many whites believed things were simpler, and to ignore the painful reality that while life may have been easier for them, it was in large part due to the enslavement of Black people.


The chorus "Glory, glory hallelujah, His truth is marching on" shifts the focus to a Unionist abolitionist song called "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," which glorifies the nation's victory over slavery. The line "His truth is marching on" speaks to the belief that the truth about equality and justice for all is inevitably moving forward and progressing, despite the resistance and pushback from those who don't believe in its message. Finally, the last verse "So hush little baby, don't you cry, you know your daddy's bound to die, but all my trials, Lord will soon be over" is a modified version of a Jamaican lullaby sung by slaves that Elvis learned from an African American gospel singer named Ed Enoch. This final verse mirrors the desire of African Americans to hold on to hope and faith in times of hardship and the belief that one's time on earth is short, but justice and freedom will eventually prevail.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
I long to be in the South where cotton is the main crop


Old things they are not forgotten
The past is still remembered and celebrated


Look away, look away, look away Dixieland
Dixieland is a place to look towards and embrace


Oh I wish I was in Dixie, away, away
I desire to be in the South, far away from my current location


In Dixieland I take my stand to live and die in Dixie
I am committed to living and dying in the South


'Cause Dixieland, that's where I was born
I was born in the South and it will always be my home


Early Lord one frosty morning
One cold morning, long ago


Glory, glory hallelujah
Praise and honor be to God


His truth is marching on
His powerful message is spreading and making a difference


So hush little baby
Be calm and don't worry


Don't you cry
There is no need to shed tears


You know your daddy's bound to die
Your father will have to pass away someday


But all my trials, Lord will soon be over
All the challenges and difficulties will soon come to an end


His truth is marching on
The power and influence of His message continue to grow




Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael E. Renzi, Richard Strauss

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@marcelluswallace4598

Anyone else feel like they are going to cry every time they hear this?

@willp.8120

It is because it hits you with the love of the South and America, something that people hold dear. It also honors God.

@capjoe70

Amen brother.

@iamspartacus6713

no

@bettykidd6768

I do, really hurts at this time in our history.

@autumnlambes9220

That's the Elvis way

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@rinigirl777

Does anyone else get goose bumps listening to this???

@cyndieriksen

Especially around 2:30

@EdwardJayeNaval

always bro

@EdwardJayeNaval

@@cyndieriksen mine's 3:35

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