June Hymn "Crying in the Chapel"

     When I was a youngster, the early days of rock ‘n’ roll always suffered an image problem. When you look back they where very innocent compared to some of the trash that's recorded today. There where some really good songs come out of that era. One of them was  "Crying in the Chapel". I always loved this song when I was younger but never paid much attention to the lyrics until I was a bit older.                                       The song was written by Artie Glenn for his son Darrell to sing. Glenn was inspired to write the song after recovering from spinal surgery when he went to pray at Fort Worth's Loving Avenue Baptist Church (the "Chapel" in the song). Darrell recorded it while still in high school in 1953, along with Artie's band the Rhythm Riders. The song was rejected by Hill and Range Songs and Acuff-Rose Music but the song was eventually published by Valley Publishers which also released the single featuring Darrell Glenn. It became a local hit and then it went nationwide. The original version of the song was issued in May 1953. The song became one of the most covered of 1953. Darrell Glenn's original recording reached number one on the Cash Box charts  and number six on Billboard. Darrell Glenn's original version also hit number six on the Billboard pop singles chart and number four on the Billboard country and western chart.                                      RCA Victor Records released it as a single in the U. S. and elsewhere by EMI on the His Master's Voice label. This was the most successful pop version on the Billboard charts, reaching number four after charting for 17 weeks beginning August 1, 1953.
    On October 31, 1960, Elvis Presley cut a version of the song with plans to put it on his RCA gospel album His Hand in Mine. Three takes were recorded, but neither Elvis nor the Jordanaires, who provided background vocals, were satisfied. Eventually it was decided to shelve the recordings and move on. Then on April 6, 1965, "Crying In the Chapel" was issued on RCA's "Gold Standard Series." It became Elvis' first million seller since "Return to Sender" in 1962 and his greatest chart success over a six-year span. The single hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and topped the Easy Listening chart for seven weeks. It was later included as a bonus track on Presley's 1967 gospel album, How Great Thou Art. Presley's version also was a hit in Great Britain, where it spent two non-consecutive weeks at number one.                                          In 1953, the one I'm most familiar with, the Orioles had their biggest hit, "Crying in the Chapel". When I hear the song now it brings back memories of  the first little chapel I attended Sunday School when I had to memorize John 3:16 for a Christmas program.                                 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