Introduction:
“Until It’s Time for You to Go” by Elvis Presley is a romantic ballad that was originally written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie in 1965. Elvis recorded his version of the song during a session at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 17, 1971. The song was featured on his 1972 album Elvis Now and became a modest hit, reflecting his ability to adapt songs from different genres into his signature style.
The track is unique for Presley, as it was a departure from his typical rock-and-roll sound, showcasing a more tender, emotional side. In “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” the lyrics reflect a brief but meaningful love affair where both parties acknowledge that their time together is limited. This theme of impermanence resonates deeply with the song’s bittersweet tone.
Elvis’s rendition brought a wider audience to the song, giving it a commercial push that it did not initially receive from Sainte-Marie’s folk version. Though it wasn’t one of his biggest hits, “Until It’s Time for You to Go” demonstrated Elvis’s versatility as an artist, helping him bridge the gap between pop, rock, and country during the early 1970s.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Until It’s Time For You To Go”
You’re not a dream, you’re not an angel, you’re a woman
I’m not a king, just a man, take my hand
We’ll make a space in this lives that we planned
And here we’ll stay until it’s time for you to goYes, we’re different worlds apart, we’re not the same
We laughed and played at the start like in a game, oh Lord
You could have stayed outside my heart but in you came
And here you’ll stay until it’s time for you to goDon’t ask why
Don’t ask how
Don’t ask forever
Lord love me, love me, love me, love me nowThis love of mine has no beginning, it has no end
I was an oak now I’m a willow and I can bend
And tho’ I’ll never in my life see you again
Here I stay until it’s time for you to goOh yes, I’ll stay until it’s time for you to go