"I Will Follow Him" is a popular song that was first recorded in 1961 by Franck Pourcel, as an instrumental titled "Chariot". The song achieved its widest success when it was covered by Little Peggy March in 1963. The music was written by Franck Pourcel (using the pseudonym J.W. Stole) and Paul Mauriat (using the pseudonym Del Roma). It was adapted by Arthur Altman. The English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel.

The song was recorded in 1961 by Franck Pourcel and began as an instrumental piece appearing on the 1961 European LP release Amour, Danse, Et Violons. No.17. At the same time, it appeared on the EP release La Voix de son Maître. Pourcel co-wrote the song with his friend and fellow French bandleader Paul Mauriat. The other French bandleader Raymond Lefèvre has been credited for arrangements. Franck Pourcel's original recording was popular on MOR, or "easy listening," stations. Mauriat later recorded an instrumental version in 1976 with a disco beat, using a Moog synthesizer.

In 1963, Percy Faith released an instrumental version, re-titled "I Will Follow You", as the lead song on side 1 of his album titled Themes for Young Lovers. Many other hits at the time were also on the album, including "Up on the Roof", "On Broadway", and "Rhythm of the Rain".

In 1962, Petula Clark released a French language version of the song, titled "Chariot" (lyrics by Jacques Plante), which reached No. 1 in Wallonia, No. 2 in France, and No. 8 in Flanders, and earned Clark a gold record. Her English version reached No. 4 in Denmark, where it was released by Vogue, but failed to chart in the UK and the USA, where it was released by Pye and Laurie respectively. Clark also recorded Italian and German versions of the song, with her Italian verision, "Sul mio carro", reaching No. 4 in Italy, and her German version, "Cheerio", reaching No. 6 in Germany.

...
Wikipedia