A week ago, I experienced the surprise blessing of a whirlwind trip to Dollywood, a place I had never been, and one to which I definitely want to return. I am old enough to remember when Dolly became a star, and while I didn’t “get” the wigs, the bling, and all the rest, it was clear that the woman could sing, that she had a heart and faith as big as the sky, and she was proof that with God, anything was possible.
In 1969, Dolly wrote a song called, “Coat of Many Colors,” and it is a story about overcoming poverty, bullying, and reveling in the secure love of a resilient mother as well as one of my favorite Bible stories– the coat of many colors given to Joseph by his father, Jacob. Dolly’s “Coat” is considered one of her best, and she has written more than 3,000. It happens to be Dolly’s favorite song that she has composed, and Dolly describes herself as a “Songteller.” She wrote the song on the back of a dry cleaning receipt, which is on display at Dollywood along with a replica of the coat Dolly’s mom, Avie Lee Parton, made for her daughter. Avie Lee made the original one by hand, and eventually it was re-purposed. Avie Lee made the replica for her daughter decades later with the same love and care as the first. Here are the lyrics:
Back through the years I go wonderin’ once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
But every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat
And it was way down in the fall Momma sewed the rags together Sewin’ every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the Bible she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said Perhaps this coat will bring you Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn’t wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss
My coat of many colors That my momma made for me Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly Although we had no money I was rich as I could be In my coat of many colors My momma made for me
So with patches on my britches And holes in both my shoes In my coat of many colors I hurried off to school Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me In my coat of many colors My momma made for me
And oh, I couldn’t understand it For I felt I was rich
And I told ’em of the love My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told ’em all the story Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors Was worth more than all their clothes
But they didn’t understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors My momma made for me Made just for me
I am grateful to have gotten a glimpse of pure love that has warmed my heart, and I wish all of you a New Year that is full of the same.
January 3, 2025
