Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Peace In The Valley
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
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But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down with the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song "Peace In The Valley" convey a sense of weariness and longing for a peaceful existence. The singer expresses their tiredness and the desire to be called away by the Lord. They yearn for the brightness of morning and the light of a lamp, juxtaposed against the darkness of the night. The imagery of the night being as black as the sea suggests a deep sense of despair or trouble.
The chorus reveals the central theme of the song: the hope and prayer for peace in the valley. The singer desires a future where there will be no sadness, sorrow, or trouble. It paints a vision of a serene and harmonious existence, where even the wild creatures like bears, wolves, and lions will be gentle and tame. The image of the lion lying down with the lamb speaks to a complete transformation of nature, symbolizing the ultimate reconciliation and peace. In this new world, even the singer believes they will be changed from the person they currently are.
Overall, "Peace In The Valley" serves as a spiritual yearning for a better future, a longing for a world free from anguish and conflict. It expresses the desire for a personal transformation and a greater harmony in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
I am feeling exhausted and worn out
But I must go alone
I have to face my journey by myself
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
I will continue until the Lord summons me to depart
Well the morning's so bright
The dawn brings a radiant light
And the lamp is alight
The lamp is shining brightly
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
But the darkness of the night is as deep as the sea
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
I believe that one day there will be tranquility in my life
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
I beseech the Lord for peace in my life
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
There will be no more grief or sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
I will no longer witness any kind of distress or trouble
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Indeed, peace will exist in the valley exclusively for me
Well the bear will be gentle
Even wild bears will exhibit gentleness
And the wolves will be tame
The wolves will become docile
And the lion shall lay down with the lamb, oh yes
Furthermore, the lion will peacefully rest with the lamb
And the beasts from the wild
Even the untamed creatures of the wilderness
Shall be lit by a child
Will be enlightened by the innocence of a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
And I will undergo a transformation, no longer being the person I am now
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
Assuredly, I will experience serenity in the valley someday
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
I implore the Lord for peace to reside in the valley for me
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
There will be an absence of sadness or grief
No trouble, trouble I see
I will witness no difficulties or challenges
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
There will unquestionably be peace specifically for me in the valley
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Bluewater Music Corp., Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas A. Dorsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind