Coat of Many Colors



Last week, the world experienced something that rarely happens anymore: a near-universal outpouring of love and appreciation for one of the greatest among us: Dolly Parton.

Dolly’s death brought into stark relief how special she truly was in comparison to the “entertainers” with whom we have grown accustomed.  The tributes to Dolly came from all corners: Democrats and Republicans, Hollywood icons, musicians from country to rock to Broadway and everywhere in between, and leaders of nearly every faith and denomination. In an era that finds us so divided and disagreeable on just about everything, it was comforting to see so many people coming together.

Dolly’s story is well-known. She emerged from a two-room cabin in rural eastern Tennessee as the fourth of twelve children, born to parents who could not read nor write. And yet, her remarkable career was a lasting tribute to her people – Southerners, hardworking and proud people filled with faith, dedicated to making the world a better place.

She wrote her first songs as a child and even got to perform on the Grand Ole Opry as a teenager – but her own family didn’t even get to see the performance because they had no television! Later, on the day after her high school graduation, she got on a bus and went to Nashville, Tennessee, and began her amazing ascent to stardom. It wasn’t long before she became a fixture on a country music series starring Porter Wagoner, and the rest is history.

Dolly wrote hundreds of songs, for herself and others, many of which became American standards known by all: “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You” are but a few of these classics. As an actress, she appeared in films such as “Nine to Five” and “Steel Magnolias,” among others; she also hosted several variety shows and was a near-constant fixture on the late night talk show circuit. She became the wealthiest country music star in history and spent her life giving it all back to the people in her home state and region, employing many of them at the Dollywood theme park and other properties.

Even among all these successes, Dolly’s grand mission was the Imagination Library. Since 1995, the Imagination Library has mailed one book per month to children ages one to five years old. In these 30 years, over 300 million books have been given away to children across the country and around the world. It is estimated that one in every six American children receives books through this program.

Her generosity wasn’t for show – it was part of who she was. For example, when Dolly learned that her former singing partner Porter Wagoner was in financial trouble, she bought the publishing rights to his entire catalog of songs and gave them back to Porter.

Dolly never stopped talking about Jesus. She was open about her faith, and included gospel songs on every album. If anyone in our modern culture was living the Christian life, it was Dolly.  And everyone respected that.

It was interesting over the past few years to see how Dolly Parton went from staying ahead of comedians and their boob jokes to becoming a cultural icon claimed by disparate groups in our society. She was as beloved by the evangelicals as she was by the LGBTQ movement, and made music across seven decades that was listened to by every kind of music fan under the sun.

In our age of sarcasm and cynicism, Dolly’s earnestness and relatability will be missed the most. Dolly emerged from real poverty and clawed her way to success in an industry – and in a time period – where women were not always respected. She came from a part of the country populated by people derided as rednecks and hillbillies, and in her own way, she forced everyone to respect the simple and true greatness of these people.

In conclusion, a recommended Dolly listening list as we fondly recall her musical gifts.

·     “I Am Ready” (2000) – Dolly with an a cappella gospel group, meditating on how great it will be when she gets to Heaven.

·     “Down from Dover” (1970) – Girl gets pregnant, thinks the guy will be there when the baby comes but he dips out on her and the baby is stillborn. Depressing, but so well done! Dolly said this was one of her best songs.

·     “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” (1977) – At a very low point in her life, she left a meeting in the rain, but as she was driving home the sky cleared and turned blue, and hope came out in the lyrics.

·     “Welcome Home” (2004) – At the height of the Iraq War, Dolly sings about a mother dreaming of her son coming home; the son who doesn’t make it there; and the glorious reward and reunion awaiting them both someday.

·     “Just Because I’m a Woman” (1968) – Groundbreaking lyrics from the era: “Now a man will take a good girl and he'll ruin her reputation / But when he wants to marry, that's a different situation / He'll just walk off and leave her to do the best she can / While he looks for an angel to wear his wedding band.” Wow!

·     “He’s Alive” (1989) – Written by Don Francisco, this song is told from the point of view of Peter as he sees all the miracles of Jesus, yet denies him three times on the day of the crucifixion. At the end, the stone is rolled away, and a gospel choir joins Dolly to announce that He’s Alive!

·     “Muleskinner Blues” (1970) – This ‘blue yodel’ by Jimmie Rodgers is just a-cookin’ in this Dolly version! Put this record on if you need some highly caffeinated music to get you moving!

·     “After the Gold Rush” (1999) – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris make this Neil Young song come to life in a whole new way. The whole album is recommended.

·     “Coat of Many Colors” (1971) – The story of her young life, told in beautiful words that compare the patchwork jacket sewn together by her mother with Joseph’s coat in the Bible, ending with the thought, “one is only poor if they choose to be” as she stands up to school bullies who make fun of her clothes.

Michael Bird is a professor at Faulkner University.