Sheppard and Bassett, both from Queens County, New York, and Baskerville, originally from Virginia, organized a group in Queens in 1960. This was billed initially as Shane Sheppard And The Limelites, but quickly became Shep and the Limelites. All three had previous experience in other groups: Shep with The Heartbeats (notable for "A Thousand Miles Away"); Bassett with The Five Sharps and then, with Baskerville, in The Videos.
Shep & The Limelites' recording sessions for Hull Records started in August 1960. They recorded the original version of "Daddys Home" on February 1, 1961. "Daddy's Home" reached no. 2 on the Billboard popular music chart in May, and was covered by P J Proby (1970) Jermaine Jackson (1972), Toots and the Maytals (Funky Kingston 1973), Junior English, and Cliff Richard (1981). Later songs were not as successful as "Daddy's Home", but still sold well; among these were "What Did Daddy Do", "Ready For Your Love" and "Our Anniversary".
Kahl Music, publisher of "A Thousand Miles Away", an earlier song written by Sheppard, sued Keel Music, publisher of "Daddy's Home", for copyright violation. Keel eventually lost, and this resulted in the end of the Limelites and Hull Records in 1966. Bassett joined The Flamingos and Baskerville joined The Players and then The Drifters. Sheppard re-formed the Limelites in the late 1960s, but was murdered on January 24, 1970. He died in his car on the Long Island Expressway as a result of injuries sustained in a robbery. Baskerville died, at age 58 on January 18, 1995 in New York. Bassett died on January 25, 2005, at age 68 from the complications of emphysema, at his home in Richmond, Virginia.
James Sheppard's legacy includes the composing of rock 'n' roll's first song cycle. Writing songs for both the Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites, he tells the story of going home to his girl, with twists along the way, getting married, and celebrating their anniversary. The songs that told this story were "A Thousand Miles Away", "500 Miles to Go", both with the Heartbeats; and then "Daddy's Home", "Three Steps from the Altar," "Our Anniversary", and "What Did Daddy Do?" for Shep and the Limelites.
Discography
Singles
"Too Young to Wed" / "Two Lovin' Hearts" Apt 25039 1960
"I'm So Lonely" / "One Week from Today" Apt 25046 1961
"Daddy's Home" / "This I Know" Hull 45-H-740 Mar 1961
"Ready for Your Love" / "You'll Be Sorry" Hull 45-H-742 May 1961 [7] charted at #42
"Three Steps From The Alter"/"Oh, What a Feeling" Hull 45-H-747 1961
"Our Anniversary" / "Who Told the Sandman" Hull 45-H-748 Feb 1962
Crying In The Chapel
Shep & The Limelites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the chapel in the moonlight
While we're strolling down the aisle
Where roses entwine
How I'd love to hear you whisper
In the chapel in the moonlight
That the lovelight in your eyes
Till the roses turn to ashes
Till the organ turns to rust
If you never come I'll still be there
Till the moonlight turns to dust
How I'd love to hear the choir
In the chapel in the moonlight
As they sing "Oh Promise Me"
Forever be mine
The lyrics to Shep & The Limelites' song Crying in the Chapel express a yearning for the perfect romantic scene: a moonlit chapel adorned with roses, where a couple can walk down the aisle and whisper sweet nothings to each other. The singer of the song longs to hear the organ playing and the choir singing "Oh Promise Me," a popular song from the early 1900s that was often played at weddings. He desires the love he feels to last forever, even until the roses turn to ashes and the moonlight turns to dust.
The song's lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when romance was simpler and more idealized. The chapel represents a sacred space where the lovers can express their devotion to each other, and the moonlight creates a mystical quality to the scene. The repeated line "Forever be mine" emphasizes the singer's desire for a lasting love that transcends the physical world.
Line by Line Meaning
How I'd love to hear the organ
Expressing a strong desire to hear the sound of the organ in the chapel, creating a wishful atmosphere
In the chapel in the moonlight
Describing the serene and calming setting of a chapel under the moon's light
While we're strolling down the aisle
Taking a leisurely walk in the central part of the chapel
Where roses entwine
Noticing the flowers in the chapel that are wound together
How I'd love to hear you whisper
Expressing an intense desire to hear the sound of a whisper from a loved one
In the chapel in the moonlight
Reflecting on the peaceful atmosphere of the chapel, being enhanced by the glow of the moonlight
That the lovelight in your eyes
Describing the emotions of a loved one while looking into their eyes
Forever will shine
Expressing a strong desire for the love and emotions to last forever
Till the roses turn to ashes
Using a metaphor to describe the end of participation in the activities of the chapel
Till the organ turns to rust
Changing from one metaphor to another in reference to disuse of the chapel
If you never come I'll still be there
Promise to maintain a deep connection to the chapel even if others do not participate
Till the moonlight turns to dust
Hyperbole, using the imagery of a celestial body to reveal the strong attachment to the chapel
How I'd love to hear the choir
Expressing a strong desire to hear the chorus of a choir signing in harmony
In the chapel in the moonlight
Repetition of the setting of the first stanza, to further emphasize the importance of the chapel
As they sing "Oh Promise Me"
Referring to a specific song that underlines the need for a beloved to make a promise
Forever be mine
The desired promise mentioned in the previous line
Lyrics ยฉ RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fabiomartire2666
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@lext.8813
My dad sang this every time he came home. Kids donโt realize how short life is. I miss him everyday.
@alexcampbell3165
This is the truth!
@meloyellowduck
So sorry for your loss. Nice to have such memories.
@pistolgripp127
Most Humans dont.!
@fernandorivas7894
Am 50 and when my daughter was 5 I usted play this song for her because usted work out town
@kimberlynystrom6279
Me too...my Daddy sang this to me when he came home...I had got bit by our tenants dog...In Loving Memory.
@jamiladavis4329
Thank you for keeping this song alive, Clarence Bassett was my uncle, Shep, died before I was born, and Charlie was like an uncle. I can speak for the Bassett's and I believe i can for Charlie's son, we are grateful for you all still showing the love, way after they have gone from us.
@joelmaqueira4851
R.I.P TO THEM ALL!
@stedebassett1523
Jamila....do you know what Jamila means? Lol Cuzzo, I miss hearing Uncle Jr and Uncle Charlie sing...I miss my Dad and your dad harmonize. You are beautiful...Jamila
@lynnkavanagh26
Jamila Davis Incredible!! Thank you for sharing ๐