Elvis Presley

An American Trilogy" is a notable 1971 song medley arranged by country composer Mickey Newbury and famously performed by Elvis Presley. The medley combines three 19th-century songs, each with a significant historical and cultural background:

"Dixie" - This is a popular folk song associated with the southern United States. It's often credited to Daniel Decatur Emmett and is well-known for its connection to the South.

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" - This is a marching hymn that was used by the Union Army during the American Civil War. The music was composed by William Steffe, and the lyrics were written by Julia Ward Howe. It has strong patriotic and historical connotations.

"All My Trials" - This is a Bahamian lullaby that has connections to African American spirituals. It was widely used by folk music revivalists and is a significant part of American folk music history.

Mickey Newbury originally recorded "An American Trilogy" for his 1971 album titled "Frisco Mabel Joy." The medley was a prominent feature on his first concert album, "Live at Montezuma Hall," released in 1973. The studio recording reached No. 26 on the charts in 1972 and No. 9 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.

Elvis Presley adopted "An American Trilogy" into his concert repertoire in January 1972. A live recording of his performance was made the following month and released as a single by RCA Records. Elvis made some modifications to Newbury's arrangement, including reprises of "Dixie" (played on a solo flute) and an extended and grander ending to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." His version was featured in the 1972 documentary "Elvis on Tour." While Elvis's rendition didn't match the chart success of Newbury's original single in the United States, it reached No. 66 on the charts and peaked at No. 31 on the Easy Listening chart. However, it gained more popularity in the UK, where it reached No. 8 on the charts. It was also included in both versions of the widely-viewed 1973 satellite telecast "Aloha from Hawaii."