Attn: gospel music fans: "Peace Be Still" (gospel song performed by James Cleveland

Cafe Society
1

Dopers,

I’m working on a story set in the early-mid 1980s. I want to refer, in this story, to a particular gospel song oft performed by the late James Cleveland. You can see the lyrics here:

http://www.songlyrics.com/song-lyrics/James_Cleveland/Peace_Be_Still/Peace_Be_Still/245801.html

Being the anal type, I’m trying to verify two things:

  1. That this song had, in fact, been recorded and released by 1983 (I hate anachronisms except when I do them on purpose); and

  2. The proper copyright holder (so I can give appropriate credit, also because there are always rights/fair use issues, and it’s much easier for me if the lyrics are public domain).

Wikipedia claims that the song is an 18th century madrigal, but my affection for wikis considerably outstrips my trust. Can any gospel music fans out there help me with question one? And can anybody point me to a resource where I can find the answer to question two?

Thanks,
Maxie son of Sammie son of Henry son of Cyrus