I Shall Not Be Moved

[MikeFromHolland]

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Informally recorded during the absolutely fabulous jam by ‘The Million Dollar Quartet’ on December 4, 1956.





The origins of the song are open for debate. Some say it’s a traditional, some that it’s an enslaved song and the the online Folk Index lists reverent Alfred H. Akley (1887-1960) as its original composer. Ackley wrote about 1,500 songs and hymns so that’s indeed a possibility.

A fact is that the phrase “I shall not be moved” can also be read in The Bible. Several times even. Just to quote two examples, in Psalm 16:18 we read: “I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” In Psalm 62:6: “He only is my rock and my salvation, He is my defence, I shall not be moved.” Another Psalm mentioned as one of the possible inspirations is Psalm 1: 2,3: “Where a tree resists the force of water.” (… I shall not be moved).

Another fact is that I can’t find any evidence that the song appeared before 1909. The earliest publication I could find was in “Hymns for His Praise No. 2” (Glad Tidings Pub. Co., Chicago , 1909 - edited by W.E. Biederwolf).

“I Shall Not Be Moved” is common in Aframerican tradition and is #479 in the African-American Heritage Hymnal.

“I Shall Not Be Moved” also forms the basis for the labor and civil rights anthem, “We Shall Not Be Moved.”

The exact lyrics can differ here and there. The earliest now known recording seems to be made on July 21, 1926 by the Taskiana Four, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia with members Daniel Johnson (tenor vocals), Norman Allen (tenor vocals), Edward Foster (baritone vocals), James Ricks (bass vocals). The quartet was disbanded in 1928.




Released in 1955, a bit different:





Released in the same month as The Million Dollar Quartet recorded it, December 1956:





Johnny Cash, from “My Mother’s Hymn Book”:





Sources
http://www.stephengriffith.com/folksongindex/i-shall-not-be-moved/
https://www.originals.be/en/originals/2805
https://books.google.nl/books?id=1y46AQAAIAAJ&dq=African-American+Heritage+Hymnal&hl=nl&sa=X&redir_esc=y
https://hymnary.org/hymnal/HHP21909
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/25964/versions#nav-entity
https://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list4.html#S1268
https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/112215/Taskiana_Four

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[colonel snow]

Elvis is probably inspired by the recording of one of his favorite groups.
The song was recorded in 1955 by the Harmonizing Four (Gotham 772).


colonel snow

[MikeFromHolland]

Elvis is probably inspired by the recording of one of his favorite groups.
The song was recorded in 1955 by the Harmonizing Four (Gotham 772).


colonel snow

I assumed the same, but after hearing their quite different sounding version (see my OP), I’m not so sure anymore. The arrangement by J. Jones turned it almost into another song.

.

[drjohncarpenter]

Informally recorded during the absolutely fabulous jam by ‘The Million Dollar Quartet’ on December 4, 1956.





The origins of the song are open for debate. Some say it’s a traditional, some that it’s an enslaved song and the the online Folk Index lists reverent Alfred H. Akley (1887-1960) as its original composer. Ackley wrote about 1,500 songs and hymns so that’s indeed a possibility.

A fact is that the phrase “I shall not be moved” can also be read in The Bible. Several times even. Just to quote two examples, in Psalm 16:18 we read: “I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” In Psalm 62:6: “He only is my rock and my salvation, He is my defence, I shall not be moved.” Another Psalm mentioned as one of the possible inspirations is Psalm 1: 2,3: “Where a tree resists the force of water.” (… I shall not be moved).

Another fact is that I can’t find any evidence that the song appeared before 1909. The earliest publication I could find was in “Hymns for His Praise No. 2” (Glad Tidings Pub. Co., Chicago , 1909 - edited by W.E. Biederwolf).

“I Shall Not Be Moved” is common in Aframerican tradition and is #479 in the African-American Heritage Hymnal.

“I Shall Not Be Moved” also forms the basis for the labor and civil rights anthem, “We Shall Not Be Moved.”

The exact lyrics can differ here and there. The earliest now known recording seems to be made on July 21, 1926 by the Taskiana Four, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia with members Daniel Johnson (tenor vocals), Norman Allen (tenor vocals), Edward Foster (baritone vocals), James Ricks (bass vocals). The quartet was disbanded in 1928.




Released in 1955, a bit different:





Released in the same month as The Million Dollar Quartet recorded it, December 1956:





Johnny Cash, from “My Mother’s Hymn Book”:





Sources
http://www.stephengriffith.com/folksongindex/i-shall-not-be-moved/
https://www.originals.be/en/originals/2805
https://books.google.nl/books?id=1y46AQAAIAAJ&dq=African-American+Heritage+Hymnal&hl=nl&sa=X&redir_esc=y
https://hymnary.org/hymnal/HHP21909
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/25964/versions#nav-entity
https://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list4.html#S1268
https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/112215/Taskiana_Four

The version of "I Shall Not Be Moved" by the Harmonizing Four was released on single in mid-1954 as Gotham 772.

540600_Gotham 772.jpg

It's almost a different song compared to the one Elvis performed at Sun in December 1956.



Presley may be pulling from the arrangement done by one of his all-time favorite quartets.






Statesmen Quartet With Hovie Lister "I Shall Not Be Moved" Sing Camp-Meeting Hymns (RCA Victor LPM 2440, January 13, 1962)



This recording was not issued until 1962, but the group could've been doing this one in concert for many years.



.

[eric c]

love Elvis' gospel music.
always felt they are his most personal recordings...his love for gospel music was genuine.
dead center of his musical soul.
it's a well i love to drink from often.