Jim Reeves – Distant Drums, is a song which provided US singer Jim Reeves with his only UK No. 1 hit – albeit posthumously – in the United Kingdom in 1966, some two years after his death in a plane crash on 31 July 1964. The song remained in the UK Singles Chart for 25 weeks. The single also topped the US country chart for four weeks, becoming his most successful posthumous single.
Other versions
The song has been interpreted by many renowned artists. Roy Orbison had recorded the song in 1963. His version charted in the ARIA Australian Singles Chart reaching number 3. Charley Pride recorded a version on his 1966 album Country. It was also included in Pride’s compilation album A Decade of Charley Pride in 1975.
Jim Reeves – Distant Drums
From the album Distant Drums
B-side «Old Tige»
Released March 8, 1966
Recorded c. 1963 (original)
March 1965 and February 1966 (overdubs for commercial release)
Genre Country
Label RCA
Songwriter(s) Cindy Walker
Producer(s) Chet Atkins
COUNTRYPEDIA
Jim Reeves – Distant Drums Lyrics
I hear the sound of distant drums
Far away, far away
And if they call for me to come
Then I must go and you must stay
So Mary marry me, let’s not wait
Let’s share all the time we can before it’s too late
Love me now for now is all the time there may be
If you love me Mary, Mary marry me
I hear the sound of bugles blow
Far away, far away
And if they call, then I must go
Across the sea, so wild and grey
So Mary marry me, let’s not wait
For the distant drums might change our wedding date
And love me now, for now is all the time there may be
If you love me Mary, Mary marry me
GENIUS
