Coat of Many Colors
This is a beautiful rendition of this song. The main thing that struck me is the look on Dolly's face while Melissa sings this story. You can see the truth there.
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
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
Chorus:
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
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 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
3B's
posted by The Minstrel Boy at 8:53 AM
9 Comments:
Gorgeous.
My afternoon is much improved because of it, you! Many thanks.
this is one of the few songs that brings me to tears. i'm not weepy by nature. this touches close to home tho.
good song and bittersweet, but i hate to cry.
just me.
Simply Beautiful.
thanks
I don't know much of Dolly's (or Melissa's) repetoire, but I know well that this is one of Dolly's classics. It is indeed a special song, and utterly spot on!
I couldn't help noticing the juxtaposition of their dressing styles, with Dolly in her short skirt/dress, and Melissa in what appear to be leather pants. Nonetheless, they both "get" the song!
- oddjob
dolly has always been exactly who she is. that's a big part of her charm. she does have this whole "country singer" persona that has become exactly as real as the true dolly. i was a guest at her place outside nashville while we were in rehearsals for an opry gig (like the pope praying in jerusalem, opry gigs are big shit), i was given leave to visit the barn any time, grab any horse and any saddle and amuse myself. one very early morning i'm figuring to get a nice ride in between coffee and breakfast and while i'm taking up in walks herself. it's 6:30 a.m. and we're in a barn, in the country, and dolly is wearing makeup. mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick. no wig, but she did have a big old hat. but that about sums that lady up. total lady, all the time.
i've always thought so and admired her. strong woman.
that is the genius of Dolly. I heard a story once told by Emmylou or Linda Ronstadt when they were recording the album "Trio", The story teller said that Emmylou and Linda were doing their parts individually and redoing them and redoing them and still weren't satisfied. In walks Dolly, sings her parts one time and says, "that ought work". The story teller said they were perfect.
yo soy Horsedooty!
i have heard that story from both linda and emmylou first hand. although linda was blaming the multiple takes on the production people (there were three labels involved and each label had a knob twister and a couple of suits in the booth)
thing was dolly was the big dog on that ranch at the time. plus, especially when it comes to singing harmonies (which, remember is how she came up) dolly's ear in unerring and true. most of the time, when she follows her instincts she is not only right, it's usually impossible to hear something that would improve what she just laid down. emmylou is close to as good at that, linda is a genius at it. but dolly, damn, she is such a natural that no matter what was arranged or rehearsed, you can bet cash money against promises that dolly is going to be singing the line that she hears right then.
and it will be perfect.
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