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An American Trilogy

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Words & Music: Mickey Newbury

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

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burninglove92 (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2008report abuse

Absoulutely Outstanding !!!! Never heard a bad version Ever !!!! This is Elvis Proving He;s King.
The 1975 versions are a thrill to listen too with the brass solo instead of the flute, An outstanding performance. TCB

My boy, my boy (profile/ contact) wrote on Aug 3, 2008report abuse

Another one that sounds like it's made especially just for Elvis's voice...what a performance from the whole band !

Jim Hoff (profile/ contact) wrote on Aug 3, 2008report abuse

I was 16 when I bought the Aloha From Hawaii album - and I must admit that American Trilogy at that time was a song I skipped on my record player (Much more preferred Long Tall Sally/Whole Lot a shakin goin' on and Big Hunk O' love which 'surrounded' AT on the album). That said... the song is a great performance by Elvis, both technically and emotionally, and as you get older you develop/change your taste in music. And as a fan you also have to accept that Elvis wanted to grow as an artist and not just stick to "Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock-songs" all his life. Another thing: Wonder how Lisa Marie P. feels about this song and especially the last four lines????

Elvisonmymind (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 23, 2008report abuse

I saw and listen a lot of performers doing this song but only Elvis knew how to perform this wonderful song as it should be. The way he put his emotions in this song and also the timing ... it makes my flesh creep! I like the version of On Tour very much because of his magnificent voice.

Ruthie (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 23, 2008report abuse

A wonderful song with an awesome performance. As far as being misguided in his career, he needed & wanted to grow as a singer & entertainer. Most great artists do. He remained the King of R & R but also grew into the King of Entertainment. It was an amazing accomplishment - better than just turning into an aging rock star.

FLASHBOY (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 23, 2008report abuse

Majestic! I was amazed and speachless when i heard the song for the first time and even today when i hear it i am speachless. Please tell me who can sing that song as perfect as Elvis? Jerry Lee Lewis? nahhh Ringo star nope Paul McCartney?.... not even Tom jones And God knows how Tom Jones can handle a song.

JerryNodak (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

I love the song. It gives me goose bumps. But I have to go along with Steve V. It works better as a song with the visuals. With "Trilogy" it's not just about the song (which is sung great), but also the performance. It works for me as a song if I'm listening to "Aloha From Hawaii" and I'm hearing it in it's concert context, but on the radio, no. The "Aloha" version is the ultimate. The single version was too restrained. If Elvis had simply remained the King of r 'n' r throughout his entire career and hadn't done all those other types of songs that many dislike I would have ceased to be an Elvis fan long ago. Long live the "King of Entertainment."

Volker Stockel (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

that was Elvis in his peak at Aloha From Hawaii wow nobody can beat this

Jesse Garon Presley (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

Truly a masterpiece.. nobody can sing like this. anyone who is saying it's ear shattering, and that Elvis was misguided by peforming these songs are o so wrong about that, don't agree with them at all.. just listen to this song... the King Of Rock and Roll.. no matter what

ta2k (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

Elvis' pwer and emotion in this song could make a Russian feel proud to be an American. Tremendous.

Sirbalkan (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

The Hampton concert version... No need to argue anymore...Listen to it from the "the essential elvis"compilation released at UK or buy the single "If I can Dream" released in Australia. Both include that song from this particular concert. IT IS A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Pedro Nuno (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

Like it. But Elvis was misguided about his career in the 70's. He should follow the path of Burning Love, and not of Trilogy, Always on My Mind, My Boy and others big production number (either live or studio). Not that those numbers are bad. No. But e prefer Elvis The King Of Rock and Roll, instead of the King of Entertainment.

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

I like seeing the Aloha version and when I saw Elvis perform it at MSG it was great. But hearing it on record is not the same. No wonder it wasnt a hit record.

old shep (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

The song and the whole production which consists of an ear shattering brass arrangement are too OTT for me. Give me Elvis, Scotty and Bill anytime.

Rob Wanders (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

great performed by Elvis. I love it, but a bit too patriotic for me. But still I can forget that part and enjoy Elvis' voice and the orchestra and the back-ground singers. The best versions are from 1972-73; after that the song took a faster tempo; I think Elvis was a bit tired of the song.

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

It's a great song and mostly great performances by Elvis, but I must also say that this song is ofcourse a bit "over the top"..patriotic..above the world..bigger than life..If you know what I mean. Elvis loved that feeling ofcourse...

benny scott (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

The version on "Second To None"-CD is the perfection. It's all there : the King's beautiful and powerful voice, the incredible TCB-band and the Joe Guercio Orchestra, the fantastic orchestration (who wrote this arrangement ? Hats off !!!) and last but not least : what a sound, due to the remastering (DSD). If you want to savour this performance for a 100% you have to turn up the volume of your soundsystem, this song must be listened to at full blast. I could play it 20 times in a row, I never get tired of it. Masterpiece !!! I would rate it 10 if it were possible !

JLpResLey (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

Classic Elvis. The song is a masterpiece, but I agree with Lex, it´s elvis that makes it a masterpiece. No Elvis fan can´t do anything else but love Trilogy. The most famous version is from Aloha, and many thinks that´s the best version. But the one that appears in This is Elvis (From Hampton Roads -72) is to me the very best version. Finally I just have to say what a great job JD and the Stamps did on this one

Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 22, 2008report abuse

After watching Aloha From Hawaii via Satelite I was hooked completely. This song is ever since an integral part of my standard song list. Elvis' majestic way of handling this makes me appreciate and like this one. He - as usual - makes me forget the gospel-like part of it.

Lex (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 5, 2008report abuse

I would turn off a song like this by anybody else than Elvis. Somehow he makes something special out of it.