Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Elvis Presley offers peaceful contemplation in his rendition of “In the Garden”

Elvis Presley offers peaceful contemplation in his rendition of “In the Garden”
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Take a solitary walk into a divine, mystical scene with Elvis Presley’s “In the Garden.” On February 27, 1967, the icon recorded the hymn for his eighth studio album, How Great Thou Art—a critically acclaimed album that features Presley’s classic tracks of gospel covers such as “Somebody Bigger than You and I.”

The King of Rock and Roll’s version didn’t reach the charts, but the album peaked at No. 7 on the Top Country Albums and No. 18 on the Billboard 200. Critics reviewed the song fairly, with El Paso Times writing that he sang the gospel ‘in pop ballad style.’ The magazine further emphasized that Presley’s transition from teenage to pop is ‘slow, but his style is of today, smooth and acceptable.’ On the other hand, John Bush by AllMusic pointed out that it ‘was very high church, with hymnal readings and quietly burbling organ accompaniment.’

The gospel hymn was originally written by C. Austin Miles in 1912, a former pharmacist who chose to dedicate his life as the editor and manager of hymn-writing at Hall-Mack Co. It was popularized by his two staff, Homer Rodeheaver and Virginia Asher, during the Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns the same year it was written. The piece came to life when music publisher Dr. Adam Geible asked Miles to write a hymn of “sympathetic in tone, breathing tenderness in every line” and “one that would bring hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary, and downy pillows to dying beds.”

Without a doubt, Elvis was able to convey the hymn’s intended purpose. He has been singing gospel since his boyhood, which is evident in his sincere and flawless delivery of “In the Garden.” As he sings, “I come to the garden alone,” he’ll take you on a sacred stroll, where a spiritual communion begins to unfold as you meet the divine. 

Presley sets a metaphorical space of serene and solitary walking for peaceful reflection and contemplation. He further emphasizes his personal relationship with God in the line, “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am his own.” This suggests an immense comfort that deeply resonates with solace in the Savior. The sweet, melodic piano playing as he croons brings a profound holy moment with God. It only solidifies the unique and unparalleled joy of embracing His holy presence. 

In 2010, a remastered recording of Presley’s version was released by his collector label Follow That Dream

Listen to Elvis Presley as he sings you his sweet rendition of “In the Garden.”

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...