Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.

Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Bosom of Abraham
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, you rock my soul
Down in the bosom
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock my soul (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock (oh yeah)
Oh! Lordy, Lord
We gonna rock my soul, why don't you rock my soul
Don't you rock my soul

Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock my soul (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock (oh yeah)
Oh! Lordy, Lord
We gonna rock my soul, why don't you rock my soul

Well a rich man lives (where there's glory, yeah)
He lives so well (why don't you praise the lord?)
Children, when he dies (where there's glory, yeah)
I go home in heaven (why don't you praise the lord?)
Why don't you rock my soul?
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock my soul (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock (oh yeah)
Oh! Lordy, Lord
We gonna rock my soul, why don't you rock my soul

Well a rich man lives
He lives so well
Children, when he dies
I go home in heaven
Why don't you rock my soul?

Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock my soul (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock (oh yeah)
Oh! Lordy, Lord
We gonna rock my soul, why don't you rock my soul

Won't you rock my soul?

Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock my soul (down in the bosom)
Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock (oh yeah)
Once again, oh Lord
Why don't you rock my soul

Oh, rock my soul
Why don't you rock my soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Bosom of Abraham" by Elvis Presley are inspired by a traditional African-American gospel song. The term "Bosom of Abraham" refers to a place in heaven mentioned in the Bible, where the souls of the righteous go after death. The song is an uplifting and energetic call to worship and praise, with the repeated phrase "we gonna rock, rock, rock" suggesting the joy and celebration of being in the presence of God.

The song also alludes to the idea of social justice, with the reference to a rich man living well and the promise of going home to heaven after death. This reflects a common theme in gospel music, where the hardships and injustices of life are framed in the hopeful context of a better afterlife. The repetition of "why don't you rock my soul" suggests an appeal to the listener to join in the celebration and praise.

Overall, the lyrics of "Bosom of Abraham" convey a sense of hope, joy, and faith in the face of adversity, and embody the uplifting spirit of gospel music.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, you rock my soul
I am deeply moved by your singing and the music that accompanies it.

Down in the bosom
This refers to a spiritual concept of being embraced by or experiencing the love of God.

Bosom of Abraham, we gonna rock, rock, rock (down in the bosom)
The song is referencing a spiritual place in the afterlife where believers will be embraced by God.

Oh! Lordy, Lord
Expressing excitement and passion for the religious beliefs being sung about.

We gonna rock my soul, why don't you rock my soul
Asking the listeners to join in the experience of feeling spiritually moved.

Don't you rock my soul
Asserting the importance of the spiritual experience and not allowing anything to detract from it.

Well a rich man lives (where there's glory, yeah)
Referencing the common religious belief that wealth and material success do not necessarily lead to salvation or a heavenly reward.

He lives so well (why don't you praise the lord?)
Suggesting that a life of righteousness, rather than material success, is something to be valued and celebrated.

Children, when he dies (where there's glory, yeah)
When a righteous person dies, they receive a reward or place in heaven.

I go home in heaven (why don't you praise the lord?)
The belief is that when a person dies, their soul goes to heaven, and this is cause for celebration and thanks to God.

Won't you rock my soul?
Inviting the listeners once again to participate in the spiritual experience of feeling moved by the music and religious message.

Once again, oh Lord
Reaffirming the passion and commitment to the religious message being sung about.

Oh, rock my soul
Expressing a desire for a continued spiritual experience.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ted Brooks, William Johnson, George McFadden

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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