The Coat of Many Colors

Dolly Parton's iconic 1971 autobiographical song "Coat of many Colors" tells the true story of her impoverished childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tenneseee, when her mother sewed her a winter coat out of colorful fabric rags.  Growing up in a cabin with very little money, young Dolly needed a winter coat.  Her mother, Avie Lee Parton, collected a box of colorful fabric scraps and rags to piece together a small coat.  As she sewed, her mother told her the Biblical story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, whose father gave him a coat of many colors.  Her mother blessed the finished coat with a kiss and told Dolly it would bring her good luck and happiness, making the young girl feel like a queen. 

Proud of the unique garment, Dolly wore it to school with great excitement. Her classmates laughed at her, mocking her for wearing a coat made of literal rags and scraps. Dolly could not understand their cruelty because she felt rich and knew the deep love her mother had stitched into every single thread.

The Enduring Message

Though they had no money, Dolly realized she was rich in love and self-worth.  She often called the song her personal favorite of all the tracks she ever wrote. The song remains a timeless anthem about human dignity, proving that true wealth comes from love and character rather than material possessions.  

RIP Dolly

We Will Always Love You

Recorded April 1971

Released September 27, 1971