Elvis Presley’s performance of “An American Trilogy” is one of the most powerful and beloved moments in his vast repertoire. This unique song, a medley blending three distinct American tunes, gained iconic status, particularly through his televised concerts. Within its poignant arrangement is a section derived from the spiritual hymn “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” featuring the resonant “Glory, glory hallelujah” lyric. This connection often leads fans and listeners searching for “Hallelujah By Elvis Presley,” highlighting the impact of this specific part of the trilogy and its association with the King of Rock and Roll. The story behind how this significant piece came into Elvis’s life and became a global phenomenon is a testament to his artistry and reach.
Priscilla Presley shared with Rolling Stone in a 2015 interview how she discovered the song and brought it to her husband’s attention. “I was driving down Sunset Boulevard, and I heard Mickey Newbury singing it, and I went ‘Oh, my God’ and made a U-turn and went back to the house,” she recalled. elvis singing american trilogy “No one usually ever brought songs to him. Elvis picked out all of his songs, with the exception of movie songs which matched the scenes. No one ever said, ‘Hey, El, you got to do this song’.”
“So I said, ‘There’s a song I think you really should listen to’,” she continued. “And he said, ‘Well, put it on’. So I did, and he just sat there at the desk. He put his head down and kind of nodded to it. He closed his eyes and said, ‘Damn, damn good song’. And the next thing I know, we’re back in Vegas, and he ate it up and spit it out.”
Words & Music by Micky Newbury
“An American Trilogy” is a medley composed by Mickey Newbury, first released in 1971. It masterfully combines three 19th-century songs: “Dixie” (a Confederate tune), “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (a Union song featuring the lyric “Glory, glory hallelujah”), and “All My Trials” (a traditional Bahamian lullaby). This fusion creates a powerful commentary on the American experience, reflecting conflict, faith, and peace. elvis presley glory glory hallelujah
Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
Old things they 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
Recorded: 1972/02/16, first released on single.
The Historic ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ Concert
Elvis Presley made television and entertainment history with his Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii – Via Satellite special. Performed at the Honolulu International Center Arena on January 14, 1973, it was broadcast live at 12:30 AM Hawaiian time, beamed via Globecam Satellite to Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, South Vietnam and other countries. It was seen on a delayed basis in around thirty European countries. A tape of the show was seen in America on April 4th on NBC. elvis an american trilogy show The live broadcast in January attracted 37.8% of the viewers in Japan, 91.8% in the Philippines, 70% in Hong Kong, and 70-80% of the viewers in Korea. The April showing in America attracted 51% of the television viewing audience and was seen in more American households than man’s first walk on the moon. In all, it was seen in about forty countries by one billion to 1.5 billion people. Elvis commissioned an American Eagle design for his jumpsuit for this show, his patriotic message to his worldwide audience. Never before had one performer held the world’s attention in such a way. Elvis was in top form physically and vocally. This is arguably the pinnacle of his superstardom, one of the all-time great moments of his career. Elvis was very, very nervous at first. Nobody else had ever done a satellite show before.
He was the very first entertainer, ever, to do a satellite show. It was very expensive to rent the satellite for one hour, so Colonel Parker went to NBC, because they owned the satellite, actually it was their recording company. So they cut the deal and it was the first one ever.
Elvis was a nervous wreck. But as he went along rehearsing, and enjoying Hawaii, he became very comfortable with it. The thing about it, when you go on a satellite show, you go on stage at a certain time and you got to get off at a certain time, otherwise they will just cut you off, the satellite will cut you off after one hour. So the hardest part that Elvis was worried about, was to time it right.
But as we all know it went along perfectly. Joe Esposito was at the side of the stage while Elvis was performing with a flashlight and about ten minutes before the end time, he flashed the light to let Elvis know he had ten minutes left. It was an unbelievable performance, it was all for charity, and he was very comfortable when he walked on stage. He did a great job, looked fabulous. Can we ask for more?
A great singer, in a great location, great music and its now part of history.
The concerts took place on 12 Jan at 8:30 pm and 14 Jan at 0:30 am at the International Centre, Honolulu, Hi.
Audience tickets for the January 14 concert and its January 12 pre-broadcast rehearsal show carried no price. Each audience member was asked to pay whatever he or she could. The performances and concert merchandise sales were a benefit raising $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii. (Kui Lee was a Hawaiian composer who had died of cancer while still in his thirties.)
The power of songs like “An American Trilogy,” with its evocative “Glory, glory hallelujah” passage, showcased Elvis’s ability to connect with audiences on a profound level, much like his performances of other powerful pieces, highlighting the diverse emotional range of his music. elvis presley o holy night His live performances were legendary, demonstrating his command of the stage and his vocal talent. no more song by elvis
The setlist for the January 14th concert included: Also Sprach Zarathrusta – See See Rider – Burning Love – Something – You Gave Me A Mountain – Steamroller Blues – My Way – Love Me – Johnny B. Goode – It’s Over – Blue Suede Shoes – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – I Can’t Stop Loving You – Hound Dog – What Now My Love – Fever – Welcome To My World – Suspicious Minds – Introductions by Elvis – I’ll Remember You – Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – An American Trilogy – A Big Hunk O’ Love – Can’t Help Falling In Love.
DVD cover image for Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD featuring concert footage
Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950’s with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don’t Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The ‘parade’ footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis’ Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
Conclusion
“An American Trilogy” remains a cornerstone of Elvis Presley’s legacy, a powerful and moving performance piece that resonated with audiences worldwide. Its inclusion of the “Glory, glory hallelujah” lyric contributes significantly to its spiritual and patriotic depth, making it a frequently sought-after song by fans interested in Elvis’s more profound or gospel-influenced work, often searching specifically for “Hallelujah By Elvis Presley.” The historic “Aloha from Hawaii” concert elevated this song, and Elvis himself, to unprecedented global heights, cementing his place not just as a music icon, but as a cultural phenomenon capable of uniting a worldwide audience through the power of his voice and carefully chosen repertoire.
