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 popularโand 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.
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Good morning sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Wanna tell you how I come along
I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of Nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
ยCause the battle is in my hands
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your king of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
They tell me, great God that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
ยCause the devil can't do you no harm
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
ยCause the battle is in my hands
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin' down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" tell the story of Joshua and his successful battle against the city of Jericho, as described in the Old Testament. The lyrics speak of Joshua's bravery and unwavering faith in God, as well as his use of strategic military tactics. He marched up to the walls of Jericho with a spear in hand and shouted for the ram horns to be blown. As they sounded, Joshua cried that the battle was in his hands and that the devil could not harm him. The walls of Jericho then came tumbling down, and Joshua emerged victorious.
The song is a testament to the power of faith and the belief that with God's help, even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome. The lyrics also celebrate the strength and courage of Joshua as a leader and warrior.
Line by Line Meaning
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Joshua led the charge at the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Repeating and emphasizing the location of the battle
And the walls come tumbling down
Joshua and his army caused the walls of Jericho to collapse
God knows that
Affirming the religious context of the story
Good morning sister Mary
Friendly greeting between acquaintances
Good morning brother John
Friendly greeting between acquaintances
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Elvis wants to socialize and catch up
Wanna tell you how I come along
Elvis wants to share some personal news
I know you've heard about Joshua
Assuming the audience is familiar with the story
He was the son of Nun
Providing more biographical context about Joshua
He never stopped his work until
Joshua was determined and persistent
Until the work was done
Joshua continued until he had achieved his goal
You may talk about your men of Gideon
Comparing other leaders to Joshua
You may brag about your men of Saul
Comparing other leaders to Joshua
There's none like good old Joshua
Asserting Joshua's superiority as a leader
At the battle of Jericho
Reiterating the setting of the story
Up to the walls of Jericho
Describing the position of Joshua and his army
He marched with spear in hand
Joshua was prepared for battle
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
Giving the command to sound the horns
'Cause the battle is in my hands
Joshua is confident in his ability to win
They tell me, great God that Joshua's spear
Referring to legends about Joshua's weapons
Was well nigh twelve feet long
Describing Joshua's impressive spear
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
Describing Joshua's other weapon
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Metaphorically comparing Joshua's voice to a musical instrument
Yet bold and brave he stood
Joshua displayed courage and bravery
Salvation in his hand
Elvis adds some religious imagery to the story
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm
Joshua is protected by his faith
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The horns were sounded as Joshua commanded
The trumpets began to sound
More instruments were added to the music
Old Joshua shouted glory
Joshua expressed his gratitude to God
And the walls came tumblin' down
The walls of Jericho were destroyed
Writer(s): Warren Williamson
Contributed by Jason G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vincent Costello
One of Elvis's best ...can't tell you how many times I've listened ...more than 30
John Collins
His gospel is ...well words just don't describe.
Vincent Costello
@John Collins yes indeed ...God bless
Manuel Windecker
I ask me today If I listen to this Elvis-Gospel:
Joshua and his Men
today blow down the "Walls of Corona" .And how looks the Trumpets today.
Vincent Costello
@Manuel Windecker good one ๐
รagrฤฑ Karabacak
Harika bir parรงa 30 deฤil 300 defa dinlesen sฤฑkฤฑlmazsฤฑn... ๐ค
Lori B
Pray this story over your battles and watch God move mountains ๐๐ผ
๐ this song! Be Blessed ๐
Jody Carrithers
My favorite Elvis gospel song.
Diane Despa
Ouiiii ๐ฅฐ
Jonathan Aldecoa
My favorite Elvis song too๐บ