The Greatest Oldies Music

Country

Dolly Parton – Coat Of Many Colors

About the Song

  • “Coat of Many Colors” was released as a single from Dolly Parton’s album of the same name in 1971.
  • The song draws inspiration from Dolly’s childhood experiences growing up in poverty in rural Tennessee, particularly a coat her mother stitched together from scraps of fabric.
  • Despite the coat’s humble origins, Dolly cherished it dearly, as it symbolized the love and sacrifice of her family, instilling in her the values of resilience and gratitude.
  • “Coat of Many Colors” struck a chord with audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and solidifying Dolly Parton’s status as a country music legend.
  • Over the years, “Coat of Many Colors” has remained a beloved favorite among fans and critics alike, with its timeless message of love and acceptance resonating across generations.

Video 

Lyrics: Coat Of Many Colors

Back through the years I go wanderin’ 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 useThere 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
Oh, 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
And 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 them 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

 

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