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.
Down By The Riverside
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside,
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe, (Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna put on my long white robe, (Where?) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
Well, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, (Where?) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, (A-ha) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
The song "Down by the Riverside" is a gospel blues-inspired piece with lyrics that express a desire for peace and a way to achieve this through Christ. The song has a repeating refrain about laying down one's burden and sword by the riverside while not studying war anymore. This simple message implies that war and conflict are a burden upon humanity and we should seek a way out of it.
The desire for peace in the song is particularly emphasized in the verse that talks about putting on a long white robe down by the river. This act signifies a transformation of self that leads to a peaceful existence. The singer sheds the old ways of war and conflict and seeks a new path of righteousness. The lyrics suggest that this can only be achieved by surrendering one's identity as a warrior and putting one's complete faith in a higher power.
The song has been interpreted by many as a call for an end to wars and a plea for peace. The simplicity of the lyrics and the catchy melody means it has been used not only by gospel singers but also as a protest song in anti-war movements. Down by the Riverside is a song that has inspired people to work towards peace and has become a symbol of hope in times of turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside,
I am going to relieve myself of the struggles and difficulties in my life and leave them behind by the riverside.
I'm gonna study war no more
I have decided to stop engaging in conflicts and violence and instead focus on peace and harmony.
I ain't a gonna study war no more, I ain't a gonna study war no more
I want to emphasize that I truly am not going to pursue war any longer.
Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe, (Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
I am going to dress in a way that symbolizes purity and righteousness while I am by the riverside.
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, (Where?) down by the riverside
I am going to discard the tools of battle and defense and leave them behind me by the riverside.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AMOS SWEETS, REVEREND HORATIO DUNCAN, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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