Born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Boone is a direct descendant of the American pioneer Daniel Boone. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, attended David Lipscomb College and began recording in 1954 for Republic Records. His 1955 version of "Ain't That a Shame" was a huge hit, selling far better than Fats Domino's original version. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering R&B songs by black artists for a white market. Previously, rock 'n' roll had had only limited exposure outside of the African American community. Pat Boone's pale covers gave attention to the more authentic original artists, such as Little Richard and Fats Domino and to rhythm and blues in general. In addition, the songwriters and copyright holders benefited even when individual artists did not.
In fact, only six of Boone's many hit singles were R&B covers, and only four of those were rockers. All were released in the first two years of his long career. These were "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino and "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard, and "At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama)" by the El Dorados. The other two R&B covers were well-chosen blues ballads, "I Almost Lost My Mind" by Ivory Joe Hunter and "Chains of Love," a hit for Big Joe Turner and later B.B. King that had been written by Ahmet Ertegun. By 1957, Boone was concentrating on the middle-of-the-road music that dominated his career. He never recorded another R&B cover.
Known as "The Kid in White Buck Shoes", Boone sported a clean-cut image that appealed to white [teens]] and parents. His singing style, a rich baritone, followed in the tradition of his idol, Bing Crosby. Preferring to carry on in the Crosby tradition, he soon began turning more and more to ballads. Some of his biggest hits included "Love Letters in the Sand" (with the instrumental break featuring Boone's whistling), "April Love", "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)", and "Don't Forbid Me".
His teen idol popularity in the late 1950s was second only to that of Elvis Presley, and, like Presley, he soon tried his hand at acting. Boone's pictures included 1960's Journey to the Center of the Earth alongside Hollywood notable James Mason.
His recording of the theme song from the 1957 film April Love topped the charts for six weeks and was nominated for an Academy Award. Pat also wrote the theme song for the movie Exodus.
A devout born-again Christian, he was raised in the conservative Church of Christ, but has been a member of a Pentecostal church for more than thirty years. Boone has refused both songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards, including a role opposite the decade's reigning sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. Among his other achievements, he hosted a TV series in the late 1950s and began writing in the early 1960s, a series of self-help books for adolescents, including Twixt Twelve and Twenty.
The British Invasion effectively ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s, he switched to gospel and country, and he continued performing in other media as well, most importantly radio. He is currently working as the disc jockey of a popular oldies radio show and runs his own record company which provides a much-welcomed outlet for new recordings by 1950s greats who can no longer find a place with the major labels.
Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of country music great Red Foley and singer Judy Martin, in 1953 and they had four daughters: Cherry, Lindy, Debby, and Laury. In the 1960s and 1970s the Boone family toured as gospel singers and made gospel albums, such as The Pat Boone Family and The Family Who Prays.
In the early 1990s, Boone joined Amway and spoke at many motivational seminars. He was also a distributor. He never reached the coveted Amway rank of Diamond.
In 1997, Boone released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, a collection of heavy metal covers revamped to fit his style. To promote the album, he appeared at the American Music Awards in black leather, shocking audiences and losing his respectability among his largest constituency, conservative Christians. He was then fired from Gospel America, a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. About a year later, the controversy died down and many fans, including Jack Hayford, accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". He was re-hired by Trinity Broadcasting and Gospel America was brought back.
In 2003, the Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee recognized his gospel recording work by inducting him into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Boone and his wife live in Los Angeles, California. They are members of The Church on the Way in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. His one-time neighbor was Ozzy Osbourne and his family. Boone's cover of Osborne's song "Crazy Train" became the theme song for The Osbornes. (It appears on The Osbornes Soundrack.) Osborne said that Boone "never complained once" about living next door to his less-than-traditional family.
Boone once claimed to use his own surname in lieu of curse words when upset.
In 2006, Boone penned an article for WorldNetDaily in which he argued that Democrats and others who are against the Iraq War cannot, under any circumstances, be considered patriotic. He also recently was interviewed by Neil Cavuto on Fox News, where he expressed his outrage against the opponents of George W. Bush (namely the Dixie Chicks) that their criticisms of the President showed they did not "respect their elders". Another article defended Mel Gibson after the actor was recorded making an anti-Semitic rant. Despite their differing political views, Pat Boone is friends with the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
The Exodus Song
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Performer：Pat Boone
Composer ：Ernest Gold
Lyricist ：Pat Boone
This land is mine god gave this land to me
This brave this golden land to me
I see a land where children can run free
So take my hand and walk this land with me
And walk this lovely (golden) land with me
Though I am just a man when you are by my side
With (by) god’s own hand I know I can be strong
So take my hand and walk this land with me
And walk this lovely (golden) land with me
Though I am just a man when you are by my side
With (by) god’s own hand I know I can be strong
To make this land our home
If I must fight I'll fight to make this land our own
Until I die this land is mine
The Exodus Song by Pat Boone is an emotional expression of the love for one's country and the determination to defend it at all costs by the singer, who is just a man but believes that with the help of God, he can be strong. The song begins by asserting that God gave the land to the singer, and it is a brave and ancient land where children can run free. The singer finds peace and solace in the hills and plains of the land, and he invites the listener to walk with him in this beautiful, golden land.
The song's chorus emphasizes the importance of having someone by your side, especially when fighting for the land. The singer knows that he cannot fight alone and, with God's help, he can be strong. He vows to defend the land with all his might and make it his home. The song ends with a powerful line, "Until I die, this land is mine," which signifies the singer's undying love and commitment to his country.
Overall, The Exodus Song is a patriotic masterpiece that highlights the connection between an individual and their country. It emphasizes the importance of unity, determination, and faith in achieving success, even in challenging circumstances.
* The Exodus Song was written by Ernest Gold in 1960 for the movie Exodus.
* The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1961.
* Pat Boone's rendition of The Exodus Song became a Billboard Top 20 hit in 1960.
* The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Andy Williams, Ed Ames, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
* The Exodus Song was used as an anthem by Israeli soldiers during the Six-Day War in 1967.
* Ernest Gold also composed the music for the United Nations Anthem.
* The melody of The Exodus Song is based on a traditional Sephardic Jewish song called "Romance de España."
* The lyrics of the song were written by Pat Boone's wife, Shirley Boone.
* The Exodus Song has been translated into multiple languages, including Hebrew, Arabic, and Italian.
* "This land is mine, God gave this land to me" has been interpreted by some as a biblical reference to the land of Israel in the Old Testament.
Chords: G, C, D, Em.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is mine
I believe that this land belongs to me.
God gave this land to me
I believe that God has given this land to me.
This brave and ancient land to me
I believe that this land is both courageous and old and belongs to me.
And when the morning sun Reveals her hills and plains
When the sun rises and illuminates the hills and plains of this land.
Then I see a land where children can run free.
I see a land where children can run and play without restrictions.
So take my hand And walk this land with me And walk this lovely land with me
Join me as I explore this beautiful land and let's walk it together.
Tho' I am just a man
Even though I am just an ordinary man, I want to make a difference in this land.
When you are by my side With the help of God I know I can be strong.
With your help and God's guidance, I believe that I can achieve great things in this land.
And walk this golden land with me.
Join me as we explore and discover the riches of this land.
To make this land our home
I want to make this land our permanent place of residence.
If I must fight I'll fight to make this land our own.
If it is required, I will fight to gain ownership of this land.
Until I die this land is mine!
Until the end of my life, I will cherish and consider this land as mine.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERNEST GOLD, PAT BOONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind