Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1952, he made his way to Nashville at a time when the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. Before long, Cramer would become one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, The Browns, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson and the Everly Brothers, and many others. It is Cramer's piano that is heard, for example, on Presley's first national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel."
However, Cramer remained a virtual unknown to anyone but music industry insiders until he recorded a 45 rpm single in 1960 called "Last Date." An instrumental, the music exhibited a relatively new concept for piano playing known as the "slip note" style. The record went to Number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. By the mid-1960s, Cramer had become a respected performer, making numerous record albums and touring with guitar maestro Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph.
Floyd Cramer died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 64 and was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in the Nashville suburb of Madison, Tennessee.
In 2003, he was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee offers the "Floyd Cramer Competitive Scholarship."
Peace In The Valley
Floyd Cramer Lyrics
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But I must go alo-ong
Till the Lord shall come and call me
Call me away-ay oh-oh-oh yes
Then the mornin' so bri-ight
And the lamb is the lig-ight
And the night, the night is as bla-ack
As the sea-ea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley
For me-ee-ee-ee some day
There will be pea-eace in the valley
For me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow (oh my Lord)
No more trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley
For me some day
There will be peace in the valley
For me-ee-ee-ee some day
There will be pea-eace in the valley
For me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow (my Lord)
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be pea-eace in the valley
For-or-or me, for-or-or me...
The lyrics of the song "Peace in the Valley" by Floyd Cramer speak of the desire for a peaceful existence. The singer is tired and weary, but continues to soldier on until the Lord calls them away. They are looking forward to a brighter morning, where the lamb symbolizes hope and light, contrasting the blackness of the night, which represents despair.
The singer hopes for eventual peace in the valley, where there will be no more sadness, sorrow, or trouble. They are praying for a better existence, where they can live a life free from the struggles of this world. The repetition of the phrase "there will be peace in the valley for me some day" emphasizes the yearning for a better future and the belief that it will come true.
The song is a gospel hymn that speaks of the hope of a better afterlife. Its lyrics offer comfort to those who are struggling in their present, while giving them hope for a peaceful future. The uplifting message of the song and its tender melody have endeared it to fans, making it one of the most renowned gospel hymns of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well I'm tired and I'm weary
I am exhausted both physically and emotionally
But I must go alo-ong
Despite my weariness, I must carry on
Till the Lord shall come and call me
I will continue until it is my time to depart from this Earth
Call me away-ay oh-oh-oh yes
Until then, I am waiting for the Lord to call me to the next life
Then the mornin' so bri-ight
When that time comes, it will be a beautiful morning
And the lamb is the lig-ight
The image of the lamb symbolizes purity, and its light will guide me
And the night, the night is as bla-ack
The darkness of the night represents the struggles and hardships of life
As the sea-ea, oh yes
These struggles can be as vast as the sea
There will be peace in the valley
In the afterlife, there will be tranquility
For me-ee-ee-ee some day
I look forward to experiencing this someday
There will be pea-eace in the valley
I pray that there will be serenity and calmness in the afterlife
For me, oh Lord I pray
I direct my hopes towards the Lord
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow (oh my Lord)
The afterlife will be free of sadness and pain
No more trouble, trouble I see
I will not have to face any more challenges or difficulties
There will be peace in the valley
All will be at peace in the next life
For me some day
I eagerly anticipate this day
There will be peace in the valley
The afterlife will be tranquil
For me-ee-ee-ee some day
I look forward to experiencing this peace someday
There will be pea-eace in the valley
I pray for peace in the afterlife
No sadness, no sorrow (my Lord)
There will be no sadness or sorrow in the next life, under the watchful eye of God
No trouble, trouble I see
Once I enter the afterlife, there will be no more difficulties
There will be pea-eace in the valley
I fervently hope for peace in the afterlife
For-or-or me, for-or-or me...
All of this I pray will be true for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp., Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas A. Dorsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind