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.
Excellent song all the way around. Still gives me chills.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Simply wonderful. Has Elvis' voice ever sounded more divine than this?
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.
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.
I think the reason why RCA put this one on hold, was that Hill/Range didn't own the publishing. Beautiful song.
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.
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.
Elvis gives us a great rendition of this beautifully written sacred song. 5 stars.
The Young King at his best! Great Gospel, great vocals, great feeling. My Elvis!
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!
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.
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!