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.
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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.”
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