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Stand by Me
Words & Music:
Arranged by Elvis PresleyWhen the storms of life are raging
Stand by me
When the storms of life are raging
Stand by me
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship out on the sea
Thou who rulest when wanted
Stand by me
When I’m growing old and feeble
Stand by me
When I’m growing old and feeble
Stand by me
When I do the best I can
And my friends misunderstand
Thou who never lost a battle
Stand by me
Thou who never lost a battle
Stand by me Recorded:
1966/05/25, first released on
How Great Thou ArtReactions
A beautiful uplifting gospel. The piano player could be either Floyd Cramer or Henry Slaughter.
"Thou who rulest when wanted" should be
"Thou who rulest wind and water."
The best song on the album in my opinion. It didnt suffer from the over-production that was on many of the rest of the songs. Simple is always better to me.
An outstanding gem from Elvis' 5 star sacred LP "How Great Thou Art"(1967). A stark, lovely track with Elvis lilting beautifully over the uplifting lyrics. Concerning the lyrics, I believe the 2nd to last line of verse one should read "Thou who rulest wind and water", not "Thou who rulest when wanted".
It was almost forgotten that Elvis could make outstanding albums given the right songs and concept after so many disappointed releases. This is just one of the superb tracks from an album that is still widely praised over forty years down the line.
I love this song. Wonderful vocals and in my mind as good as the title track of that album
oustanding song. Indeed a song to support you in darker days.
There are Elvis songs that really inspire and help you in not so good times. This is one of them. Beautiful.
Available Alternate Versions