Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Blue Moon]

Some months ago I was going through a very rough time emotionally, so I put on some Elvis gospel for comfort. When I got to the song "Stand By Me", I could feel the words just sink down into my soul. As I kept playing the song over and over again, I could feel the heaviness in my heart dissipate, and I could sense the love of God again.

Anyone else have an Elvis song which brought them closer to God or touched their heart in a special way?

[ALNA]

Laurie,

You'll never walk alone.

When Played several times it becomes really a masterpiece he made to honour his love for God.

Hard to explain in english for me but let's say it is a song which needed to grow but now it is divine for me

[Blue Moon]

Nadine,

"You'll Never Walk Alone" is one of my favorites as well. He sings it with such soul. And I couldn't have said it better when you say

it becomes really a masterpiece he made to honour his love for God.

Because we are never truly alone.

[Sarena]

Laurie and Nadine, the songs you mentioned are also very important to me, and it is hard to pick out "special" spriritual songs of Elvis, because so many have helped and inprired me many times.

Two songs just come to my mind, which give me power and goosebumps every time I hear them (in Elvis' beautiful rendering):

He Touched Me and Why me, Lord

[Rainbow Light]

Yes, all choices above are so powerful and I can for sure understand why these would be of help and comfort to you all for certain!

He Touched Me also from a personal standpoint, is of great appeal and "Help Me" which, perhaps though not strictly gospel? still stands as a powerful plea from Elvis in his own time of need and asking the good Lord to help him, just touches the soul at such a deep level.

[Amanda Viola]

Ladies, I can only say that all the songs you chose are really precious to me. I love to hear (almos daily) a CD with all his gospel songs. Another one ever present in my life is Amazing Grace. We have a selection with versions of this song sang by many different singers. Can you guess which one I prefer?

(Right now Elvis is singing "Amazing Grace!!!)

[Blue Moon]

Speaking of gospel songs, there is a new FTD release coming out entitled, "Let Yourself Go". It includes unreleased (except bootleg) outtakes of '68 Special songs. Well, one of the songs listed is "I Saw the Light". I've never heard Elvis sing this gospel song before, so I hope to be able to get this CD eventually, tho' FTD releases are expensive. Or maybe it will get put on another gospel CD in the future. Would be nice.
It seems like he was considering using that song in the gospel portion of the show but clearly changed his mind at some point. Also included, among other songs, is a medley of Blue Moon/Young Love/Oh, Happy Day.
Right now, it is available for pre-order only in the UK but should make the rounds to the other Amazon sites soon enough.

[Rainbow Light]

Yes, Elvis' version of "Amazing Grace" surpasses all, many versions are lovely and is a beautiful gospel song for sure but his voice just reaches that more further!

Thank you for the information about the FTD release, Laurie, sounds great and no, not heard of that song either, should be great to hear sometime!

[Wanda June Hill]

I got to hear him sing one verse of that song, at the piano in the Blind school rec hall where they were having a little party for Elvis' visit. He sat down, played I love you Because one of his early songs and sang it so sweetly for the kids, then he took a request and they wanted to hear Hound Dawg but he said he couldn't do it on the piano but he could do Love Me Tender and he sang the first verse and the last-one we don't hear on the original version- then the nurse asked for Amazing Grace and he played a bit of it, getting the feel for the way it went he said, then he hummed a little bit as he played, (their piano was kind of out of tune and it bugged him-but he compensated and covered for it) then he sang one verse and a chorus and the nurse was wiping her eyes when he was done. He wiped his too but kind of hid that from us. Then he turned around to face the group and asked if anyone had any questions and the little blind teenager said she did, he went to her and she hugged him, got her kiss and he told her she was very beautiful and he wished he was 17 again. He had such a great way of flirting and making who ever feel so special and beautiful...he did that all of the time, it wasn't that he was being a flirt or hitting on anyone, he was giving them something they needed, confidence and to know that he Elvis Presley would think they were cute, pretty enough to flirt with and the guys, he did the same only not through flirting but by being one of the "boys" with them, offerning encouragement as men do with each other. Elvis always managed to do that-with everyone he met-he made them feel they were his friend, someone he liked, and wanted to know. Again, he was all about love and caring...so naturally and easy and people he touched in that way, never forgot it. Were better for having met him. Amazing grace...he had it. wjh

[Amanda Viola]

Just coming to your post now, Wanda, Elvis was singing Amazing Grace in my player!!!

That song gets on my way, many, many times. It looks as it is syncronized with important moments in my life. This is one, because I have been reading right now the good news about Japan and GRACELAND asking for your book! I suppose you are excited by this, but I'm also, very much, because it's full of meaning, regarding the inner urgence we all share to have Elvis known full lenght and deeply. I consider specially significative that Lisa Marie and Priscilla will be able to read your book and the'll know for sure who you were for Elvis and the great LOVE he felt for them!

[maia]

I have to say, Laurie that STAND BY ME along with HOW GREAT THOU ART are my two favs of Elvis' sacred music. Both of those sung SO differently and yet magnificently!

[Rainbow Light]

[ALNA]

Amanda,

please tell me I don't understand it quite good.


Does Priscilla want to read wanda's book????

That is great news.

[Wanda June Hill]

I doubt it. It was the people in charge of the shops and etc: around there (Graceland) that ordered...not Pris or Lisa. They may or may not although I plan to send one to Lisa Marie and hope that she will get it. I think I will send it to her charity address this time...maybe it will get to her better than sending to the Graceland bunch...
I don't know who or how that works there anymore.
They had my first book in the shop-just one for people to see and get the ordering information from. But that was good. Sean Shaver said they wouldn't sell his book there-but they had that Fairytale book there! Weird!
Wjh

[Amanda Viola]

Nadine,

What Wanda and I are talking about, is something Wanda said in another thread that Amazon told her that there are many orders for her book in advancement, from Japan and Graceland too. They asked for a quantity, surely to be sold there.

Quickly, out of my own desire, I came to the conclusion that Lisa Marie and Priscilla would be able to read Wanda's book, which I feel would be very good for both, in many senses. I think that, if the book is there, word about its contents will spread and will be known by Lisa Marie and Priscilla. That's it!