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Crying in the Chapel

Rating:
4.5 / 5

Words & Music: Artie Glenn

You saw me crying in the chapel.
The tears I shed were tears of joy
I know the meaning of contentment
Now I am happy with the Lord

Just a plain and simple chapel
Where humble people go to pray
I pray the Lord that I'll grow stronger
As I live from day to day

I've searched and I've searched
But I couldn't find
No way on earth
To gain peace of mind

Now I'm happy in the chapel
Where people are of one accord
We gather in the chapel
Just to sing and praise the Lord

Ev'ry sinner looks for something
That will put his heart at ease
There is only one true answer
He must get down on his knees

Meet your neighbor in the chapel
Join with him in tears of joy
You'll know the meaning of contentment
Then you'll be happy with the Lord

You'll search and you'll search
But you'll never find
No way on earth
To gain peace of mind

Take your troubles to the chapel
Get down on your knees and pray
Your burdens will be lighter
And you'll surely find the way

Recordingdate: 1960/10/30, first released on: single (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Crying in the Chapel:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(sax)

Availability

Find available albums with Crying in the Chapel.

JerryNodak wrote on April 18, 2008
Excellent song all the way around. Still gives me chills.
bastiaanvinke wrote on August 09, 2008
Great song all the way
OtisBlue22 wrote on August 09, 2008
Sonny Till & The Orioles' version is superior in my opinion. While Presley's is a classic, and I love it, The Orioles' rendition just gives me goosebumps. It's so haunting and sad; when I hear it, I imagine a lonely soul roaming the steets in the dead of night.
Steve V wrote on August 09, 2008
Great song and a surprising hit in 1965. RCA took a chance and it worked. They tried again several times with other religious singles and didnt have success. This is one of the best songs from the 1960 gospel sessions. Amazing it was under wraps for 5 years. Perfect execution. I like the original as well. A little more R&B tinged which I prefer at times.
old shep wrote on August 09, 2008
It was good to see Elvis on top again in the UK in 1965 after the awful Do the Clam barely making the top twenty.Unlike the American releases there had and still has been a lack of spiritual songs put out by RCA or whatever as singles.Perhaps the record company should have explored this avenue more comprehensively?
sitdown68 wrote on August 09, 2008
Just a plain and simple chapel; Where humble people go to pray; I pray the Lord that I'll grow stronger; As I live from day to day. that's the essential thing about life I've learned to do. And I thank God for that.
Volker Stockel wrote on August 09, 2008
Gave Elvis the next platinum award it reacehd Number 3 at the Billboard`s charts during a 14 weeks stay and a number 1 hit for 7 weeks at the Easy Listening chart also number 1 in the UK for 2 weeks and 23 in Germany. What a fine voice on that, wow.
Marty_TCE wrote on December 20, 2008
Simply wonderful. Has Elvis' voice ever sounded more divine than this?
Natha wrote on December 20, 2008
It was this song with the outstanding beautiful voice of Elvis that made me appreciate and in this case love the gospels sung by the King.
Gorse wrote on December 10, 2012
Delicately and beautifully sung, it struck a chord with the buying public in 1965. The timing of its release in hindsight was perfect, but I wonder if the masses would have been hooked 1 year later.- 5 stars from me.
sugartummy wrote on March 01, 2013
I think the reason why RCA put this one on hold, was that Hill/Range didn't own the publishing. Beautiful song.
ElvisSacramento wrote on June 03, 2013
This is such a beautiful song and Elvis' rendition of it is spectacular. I've never skipped it. The Orioles' recording of it is spectacular too.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on June 03, 2013
Elvis, had a huge hit with this song, but sadly, he barely acknowledged the song, after he recorded it. (which is a shame) I know he sang a line or two at various concerts, but never a full committed concert version, which I feel could have been a highlight in his shows, (one of many). Another missed opportunity. But we have his original recording of the song, to enjoy, and its one of his best.
Deano1 wrote on June 03, 2013
Elvis gives us a great rendition of this beautifully written sacred song. 5 stars.
Pedro Nuno wrote on April 15, 2015
The Young King at his best! Great Gospel, great vocals, great feeling. My Elvis!
Cruiser621 wrote on April 15, 2015
I could never understand why this song was left off "His Hand In Mine" album back in 1960; other than the fact RCA would have had to issue 13 songs instead of 12. Next to "He Touched Me", this album is my favorite as to his gospel LP's and this song "Crying In The Chapel" is one of his all-time bests!
trudygillenwater wrote on April 15, 2015
Truly a instant all-time classic by The King. People who claim they prefer versions by other performers should realize that if Elvis wanted to record it differently he would have. The version we have of his is how he imagined it at the time. At another time he would have recorded it with a different arrangement.
TheMemphisFan wrote on December 28, 2015
From what I've read, this song wasn't included on the "His Hand In Mine" album because Elvis wasn't completely satisfied with the completed master take. RCA held it for 4-and-a-half years before finally releasing it 12 days before Easter in 1965. What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be!
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