Elvis Presley: An American Trilogy
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- Опубліковано 7 лис 2016
- As far as can be ascertained, Elvis Presley never voted, and his personal politics remained exactly that.
But there's little doubt that Elvis loved his country and loved all the greatness to which his country aspired. There were times too when the dark side of America appalled him: he was, for instance, horrified not only at the death of Martin Luther King but also that it happened in his home town of Memphis.
What would Elvis have made of the 2016 presidential race? No one can truly say. Might an older Elvis himself have one day entered politics a la Ronald Reagan? It's possible, and certainly he'd have employed the tactics of Roy Acuff and Jimmie Davis -- here's a little song, folks. Gather round and I'll tell you all about my plans for this country.
What song might he have sung on the campaign trail? Well, it's likely he'd have drawn upon this beautiful composition that he started using in concert from 1972 onwards. Arranged by folk singer Mickey Newbury, "An American Trilogy" draws together songs of the South, the North and a spiritual lullaby.
In order to succeed it needs to be performed without a hint of irony and Presley does exactly that, living each section wholly and perfectly. That it was presented at a time when American politics were lurching into grand farce elevates the song to a level of anthemic hope and inspiration.
Presley, a well-read lover of history (he could list every Confederate general off-the-cuff and memorised the entire Gettysburg Address as a child), was no fool, and he understood the importance of this song and, despite his own protestations to the contrary, he sang this as a deliberate message of unity to his listeners and fellow Americans.
In many ways, the scars still run deep throughout America and events often conspire to make a mockery of this vision of a united America. But ultimately, I believe that Love will overcome and I suspect that Presley would have concurred ... "When I was a child, I was a dreamer", said Presley in 1971, just as Lennon was making the same point in song and as King's greatest monologue was still echoing throughout the country.
This remains a haunting song and it stalks my forthcoming book, "Walk A Lonely Street", forming much of its structure.
Whoever occupies the White House as from tomorrow, your country and the wider world require many things of you, but none more important than to embrace the universal ideals of optimism, inclusivity, courage, peace and freedom.
God bless America.
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Elvis' " American Trilogy "is truly an American treasure! That is what it is all about:Love of
God & country! He performs with a passion that comes straight from his soul! His music was always
so honest & portrayed his true emotions! The quality of his voice is unsurpassed especially here!
I defy anyone to witness this performance without summoning up the same spirit of patriotism ! Many
folks today could learn a lot from Elvis about what it means to be an American ! Things were far from perfect in those days but there was never the kind of disrespect & blatant hatred that goes on in America today , like the refusal to respect the national anthem of the country which is responsible
for the good life that one can only obtain in America! That is why Elvis lives on! He was a true
American! It is wonderful that we can still listen to
this performance & feel that this American spirit gives us a reason to hope that all will be well as long as sincere love for America exists!
prachtig xx
a great video thanks
.
fantastic performance from the king
This song and all the history that went into it is now VERY important to talk about in a serious way. These recent events cannot be ignored in the current context of Charlottesville. This is a life and death song about a war that has lasted over 150 years.
Elvis wanted to show the historical validity of all three songs while ending with the triumph of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The yankees won; the slaves were free. And that's key to a song that ultimately pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln.
Confederate generals are not trivia now. Their new followers have fresh blood on their hands. This is dead serious, obviously.
It should be recalled that Elvis could recite Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech from memory. The entire speech.
Robin, I'm not sure I understand either. I have no memory of removing any of your comments whatsoever. I think, according to a facebook message you sent me on 4th July that you removed a UA-cam comment yourself? Would that be correct?
George Smith . You're right! I remember now! I'm sorry but all the medications are messing with my memory.
That whole exchange is something I don't remember very well. I'm just starting to recall it. But I think I did do it after we chatted. Sorry if I forgot. It's just coming to me now.
Unfortunately, the chat we had makes no sense in Messenger. So, I don't know what I said, or what you said. It's all just gone.
George Smith I completely forgot. I'm sorry. But perhaps one word added to your eloquent blurb, acknowledging the murder last week along with all the post-civil-war terror on behalf of the "war of northern aggression" as too many southerners call it? Perhaps this could help.