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Elvis Aaron Presley, in the humblest of circumstances,
was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room
house in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935.
His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn,
leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child.
He and his parents moved to Memphis,
Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from
Humes High School there in 1953.
His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma,
and good humor endeared him to millions,
as did the humility and human kindness he
demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world
over by his first name, he is regarded as one
of the most important figures of twentieth
century popular culture. Elvis died at his
Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977.
  
Janelle McComb of Tupelo, Mississippi was a good friend to
Elvis and his family for many years. On several occasions
Elvis asked her to lend her unique talents to record his
feelings in verse. “The Priceless Gift”, a birthday poem
for his daughter Lisa, was one of those occasions.
Lisa’s copy is displayed at Graceland. Here, from its
author is the story of how the poem was created:
In the latter part of ‘71, I was visiting Graceland.
Lisa was pushing her baby buggy through the hall,
and I said to Elvis, “Can you imagine? She is soon
going to be four years old. What are you going to
give her for her birthday?”
Elvis paused and said “I don’t know - she’s all we have -
she is our most prized possession. I want Lisa to know
what the important things in life are. Money is not important -
it is fleeting and all this is just vanity.” He said
“A lot has happened through the years. Do you remember,
when we left Tupelo, all we had was a little trunk on top of the car.”
We talked and laughed for an hour or more reminiscing
about his childhood, about his mother cooking, about how
his grandmother wore an apron, and about the song
“Precious Memories”, which was sung at his mother’s funeral.
He said “Those early values that my parents taught me are still
my values, and I want my child to know them.”
“Mrs. McComb,” Elvis said,
(he always addressed me as “Mrs. McComb” when he was
talking to me, but always autographed things to me as “Janelle”.)
“do you think you could take your pen and write something for me
to give my little girl to tell her what the real values of life are,
because I may not always be around.”
“In other words,” I said, “you want to give her ‘the priceless gift’.”
He said “That’s right, and be sure to sign it ‘Daddy’.”
I said “Well, Elvis, I’ll try.”
I went home and wrote the poem.
When I brought it back to Elvis at Graceland, he was so touched
and pleased when he read it, he ran up the stairs two at a time
to hide it until Lisa’s birthday. When he came back down crying,
I asked him to sign my copy of the poem. He signed it, then with
his elbow attempted to wipe the tears off the paper and
smeared his signature. He said “Oh, Mrs. McComb, I’ve ruined
your copy.”
“No,” I said, “someday those teardrops will be just as priceless
as this poem is to you.”
The Priceless Gift
Birthdays are always special
as your fourth one comes to you
and I wondered what I’d give you
Just anything wouldn’t do.
I thought of childish treasures
to hang upon your wall
Yet nothing seemed appropriate
or none I could recall.
Money seemed so cold and fleeting
Bought treasures go so fast
And I wanted a gift to please you
And one that would also last.
You know you’re sort of special
You are really all we’ve got
You’re Mama’s bit of heaven
And Daddy’s tiny tot.
I closed my eyes - the years rolled by
And I slowly found my way
To a shadowed corner in the attic
T’was a link to my yesterday.
I raised the lid to a frayed old trunk
And there a priceless treasure lay
A tattered apron with strings still tied
And I knew I heard her say -
“Son, I’m now just a precious memory
But don’t ever forget one thing
I always tried to guide your life
With these worn out apron strings.
They guided a man named Lincoln
As he steered the ship of State
It’s the only gift I gave you
That will never go out of date.
Apron strings changed the course of
History as great men felt their tug
They followed sons onto battle fields
Without the slightest shrug.
They guided both kings and beggars
Through harmony and strife
Son, you surely must have felt their tug
For how God has blessed your life.
I bowed my head and said a prayer
For I knew God had surely touched
A tattered old trunk so tucked away
And an apron that had meant so much.
So Lisa, I give you the “Priceless Gift”
That surpasses all other things
A whole lifetime of love for you
She tied in her apron strings.
Daddy
©1971 Janelle McComb
More Elvis Tribute Sites
Elvis Tribute
Elvis-The Early Years
Elvis' Cadillacs
Elvis Memorabilia
Elvis' trademark jumpsuits
Elvis' trademark glasses
Graceland
Official Elvis web site
 
 
 
 
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