Published 1937 Genre Christian music | Released 1937 Writer(s) Thomas A. Dorsey | |
"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson. The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart. It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
In 1950 it was one of the first songs recorded by a young Sam Cooke, during his tenure as lead singer of the The Soul Stirrers.
After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. Because of the rendition by Elvis Presley (with backing by the Jordanaires on his first Christmas album) in 1957 the song forever became a country-pop favorite. Since then it was recorded by: Little Richard on his 1961 Quincy Jones-produced gospel album It's Real, Connie Francis on her 1961 album Sing Along with Connie Francis; George Jones on his 1962 album Homecoming in Heaven; Johnny Cash on his At San Quentin live album; Loretta Lynn; Dolly Parton; Screaming Trees, as a B-side to their "Dollar Bill" single; Ronnie Milsap; Art Greenhaw with the Jordanaires, Tom Brumley and the Light Crust Doughboys for the Grammy-Nominated album starring Ann-Margret titled God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions and Faith Hill, for a concert special.
"Peace in the Valley" was sung by Eddie Clendening, portraying Elvis Presley, in the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, which opened in New York in April 2010. Eddie Clendening also covered the song on the Million Dollar Quartet original Broadway cast album, copyright 2010 by MDQ Merchandising, LLC.