The jam session seems to have happened by pure chance. Perkins, who by this time had already met success with "Blue Suede Shoes", had come into the studios that day, accompanied by his brothers Clayton and Jay and by drummer W.S. Holland, their aim being to cut some new material, including a revamped version of an old blues song, "Matchbox". Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, who wished to try to fatten this sparse rockabilly instrumentation, had brought in his latest acquisition, singer and piano man extraordinaire, Jerry Lee Lewis, still unknown outside Memphis, to play the piano on the Perkins session.
Sometime in the early afternoon, Elvis Presley, a former SUN artist himself, but now at RCA, dropped in to pay a casual visit accompanied by a girlfriend, Marilyn Evans. He was, at the time, the biggest name in show business, having hit the top of the singles charts five times, and topping the album charts twice in the preceding 12 month period. Less than four months earlier, he had appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, pulling an unheard-of 83% of the television audience, which was estimated at 55 million, the largest in history, up to that time. After chatting with Philips in the control room, Presley listened to the playback of the Perkins’ session, which he pronounced to be good. Then he went into the studio and some time later the jam session began. Phillips left the tapes running in order to "capture the moment" as a souvenir and for posterity. At some point during the session, SUN artist Johnny Cash, who had also enjoyed a few hits on the country charts, popped in.
As the session continued, Phillips spotted an opportunity for some publicity and called a local newspaper, the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Bob Johnson, the newspaper’s entertainment editor came over to the studios accompanied by a UPI representative named Leo Soroca, and a photographer.
The following day, an article, written by Johnson about the session, was published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar under the title, "Million Dollar Quartet". The article contained the now well known photograph of Elvis Presley seated at the piano surrounded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.
Farther Along
The Million Dollar Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested, though in the wrong
Farther along we'll know more about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
When death has come and taken our loved ones
Leaving our homes so lonely and drear
Then do we wonder how others prosper
Living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know more about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
The Million Dollar Quartet's song Farther Along is about the human experience of being tempted and tried in life, and not understanding why some people seem to get away with wrongdoing while others suffer the consequences. The song delivers a message of hope and perseverance, suggesting that with time and understanding, we will eventually come to know why things happen the way they do.
The lyrics make reference to death and the loneliness that can come with losing a loved one, questioning why it seems that some "live so wicked year after year" while others are left to suffer. The chorus repeats the phrase "Farther along we'll know more about it, farther along we'll understand why," emphasizing the idea that understanding and comprehension will come with time and patience.
Throughout the song, the phrase "Cheer up my brother" is repeated. This suggestion to stay positive and hopeful in the face of challenges is a common theme in gospel music.
Overall, The Million Dollar Quartet's Farther Along is a song about the struggle to make sense of life's hardships, and the belief that understanding and enlightenment will come in time.
Line by Line Meaning
Tempted and tried we're oft' made to wonder
In times of temptation and trials, we are often left wondering
Why it should be thus all the day long
Why do we have to endure this every single day?
While there are others living about us
There are others around us
Never molested, though in the wrong
Who, despite being in the wrong, are untouched by trials.
Farther along we'll know more about it
As time passes, we will gain more knowledge about it
Farther along we'll understand why
We'll gain a deeper understanding of it in the future
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
Let us have a positive attitude and take pleasure in the little things in life.
We'll understand it all by and by
Eventually, it will all make sense to us
When death has come and taken our loved ones
When we experience the death of our loved ones
Leaving our homes so lonely and drear
Our homes become lonely and sad without them
Then do we wonder how others prosper
We start to question why others are prospering
Living so wicked year after year
Despite living a wicked life year after year.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ELVIS PRESLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Caj Mahal
This is even better than the version on the 'How Great Thou Art' LP. God bless all of 'em - true legends in every way.
garagebandsrule
Thanks for posting a rare peice of history ... "the Million Dollar Quartet" !
Antonio Santorini
This is the first time they sang together amazing
LongLivetheKing0871
This is GREAT
Whaddya say Lynn ReNae?
That is Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash with Elvis. Man, now I feel old.
Hamlet's Mill
Cash is not on it.
MR BILL
this a piece of history that has not been lost. I think God like's it as much as I do. I'm sure American history will ...ever hear of Leonardo?
wilkevwilkev
i think its the word god and the brain washing why some folk turn away, there is a great loving spirit its all about love understanding and commpassion.we are spirits having a human exspeariance. Elvis carl and johnny are just behind the vail.i wish jerry lee and you all good health,wealth and happiness (sorry for bad spelling.
rodrikktay
#1-Birth of my first daughter. #2-Birth of my 2nd daughter. #3-birth of my oldest Grandchild. #4-Birth of my 2nd Grandchild...Last but not Least,,, #5-REFER TO EXAMPLE #1....Thank You and I'll Keep Up My Faith and Belief in God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit...( This Song is for you Ronald ),,,My Little Brother, Rest In Peace...5-08-1972 to 1-16-2006. "Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, We'll understand it all by and by..."
benandstevecom Galaxy8News
I don't have a measuring device...but I bet when we get to the end of our days and look back...that we will be able to understand there was a more sinners that came to God in the gutter odown on Main Street than in the front rows of a church!