Elvis Songs: An American Trilogy

Written by:
"Dixie" credited to Daniel Decatur Emmett
"All My Trials" based on a Bahamian lullaby
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" written by Julia Ward Howe
Arranged by: Mickie Newbury

Recorded: February 16, 1972, Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas.

Single:w/ "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", 74-0672, April 4, 1972
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, w/ "Until It's Time For You To Go", 447-0685, May 1973

Highest U.S. Charts Positions:
#66 on Billboard Pop chart.
#31 on Billboard Easy Listening chart.

1st LP release: Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden - June 1972

The version released on the single didn't appear on an album until the 1995 box set Walk a Mile In My Shoes - The Essential 70s Masters.

A patriotic staple of Elvis' 70s live shows, "American Trilogy" is almost as iconic as "Burning Love" or "Suspicious Minds" when it comes to representing the latter day Elvis...

I plan on writing more about it, really! Meanwhile, dig the links and stuff!

This version of "American Trilogy", one of at least four Presley recordings, was used for his single release. It is a fine performance of this successful fusion of three great songs "I Wish I Were In Dixie", "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic", and "All My Trials". It is done with tremendous conviction by Presley, and the single became a big hit for him in the U.K. in July 1972.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley - A Study In Music, 1979

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This song was instituted by Elvis as a special segment of his rock show. It became one of his many dramatic trademarks.

The Complete Elvis, edited by Martin Torgoff, 1982


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Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
Old times there are not forgotten
Look away, look away, look away Dixieland
Oh I wish I was in Dixie, away, away
In Dixieland I take my stand to live and die in Dixie
Cause Dixieland, that's where I was born
Early Lord one frosty morning
Look away, look away, look away Dixieland

Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
His truth is marching on

So hush little baby
Don't you cry
You know your daddy's bound to die
But all my trials, Lord will soon be over