Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Top 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart.
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony) went to No. 6 on the country charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 country 1967, followed later the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to No. 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album, Hello I'm Dolly, that same year.
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Wagoner and Parton immediately began a hugely successful career as a vocal duet in addition to their solo work and their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood.
In 1982 Dolly Parton sang her song "I Will Always Love You", for the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", starring Parton and Burt Reynolds. The song - originally composed around 1974 - made few ripples, but it wasn't until Whitney Houston re-recorded it for "The Bodyguard" a decade later, that the song made yet another international hit for Dolly Parton. She later put out her own version on the 1996 album of the same name.
In 1987, Parton left her longtime label, RCA, and signed with Columbia Records, where her recording career continued to prosper, but by the mid 1990s, Parton, along with many other performers of her generation, found that her new music was not welcome on country radio playlists. She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos and Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and the folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", as well as the title track.
In 2007, Dolly paved new musical ground by forming her own record label, Dolly Records. The label's first release - Backwoods Barbie - debuted at #2 on the Billboard country albums charts and marks Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years. Parton is touring North America and Europe throughout 2008 in support of her latest release.
1955
Christmas Time's a Comin'
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you wanna go home?
We all wanna go home for Christmas
I know I do
Oh, Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Snow flakes are fallin'
My old home's a callin'
Tall pine's are hummin'
'Cause Christmas time's a comin'
Can't you hear them bells ringin' bringin' joy to all
Could ya hear 'em singin'
When it's snowin' I'll be goin'
Back to my country home
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
And I know I'm going home
Aw, here's some other boys that wanna go home
Yeah! Merry Christmas to you too
Holy's in the window
Home is where the wind blows
Can't walk, we're runnin'
'Cause Christmas time's a comin'
Can't you hear them bells ringin' bringin' joy to all
Could ya hear 'em singin'
When it's snowin' I'll be goin'
Back to my country home
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
And I know I'm going home
I'll let you play if you give me a present
On second thought, I think all you guys deserve a present
And I'm gonna get you one
Home fire's are burnin'
My old heart's a yurnin'
For the folks at home
When Christmas time's a comin'
Can't you hear them bells ringin' bringin' joy to all
Could ya hear 'em singin'
When it's snowin' I'll be goin'
Back to my country home
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
And I know I'm going home
Oh, Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
Christmas time's a comin'
And I know I'm going home
Merry Christmas
I'm going home
In Dolly Parton's song "Christmas Time's a Comin'", the first verse makes clear that it's Christmas time and everyone wants to go home. The song is about longing for home and family during the holidays. This theme is reinforced throughout the song: the snow, the tall pines, and the bells are all calling the singer back to her country home, where the fires are burning and her heart is yearning for the folks at home. The song reflects how Christmas is a time for coming together with family and loved ones, no matter how far away they may be.
The repeated refrain of "Christmas time's a comin'" emphasizes the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season. The use of repetition also serves to reinforce the theme of homecoming, with the phrase acting as a kind of mantra for the singer as she makes her way back to her country home. The song has a joyful and upbeat tone, with the sound of bells and singing adding to the festive feel.
Overall, "Christmas Time's a Comin'" is a heartwarming ode to the joys of Christmas and the importance of being with loved ones during the holiday season. The song captures the spirit of Christmas by evoking images of snow, pine trees, and the sounds of bells, creating a sense of wonder and anticipation that makes listeners feel excited about the arrival of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey it's Christmas everybody
The season of Christmas is here and everyone needs to be aware of it.
Don't you wanna go home?
This is the time of the year when people naturally want to be with their loved ones in their home.
We all wanna go home for Christmas
The desire to be with our family and friends during Christmas is one that's consistent with everyone
I know I do
The artist is not an exception. They have a strong desire to spend Christmas with their loved ones in their home.
Oh, Christmas time's a comin'
The artist is reminiscing how the Christmas season is approaching and all the associated excitement and anticipation.
Snow flakes are fallin'
It's a cold winter season accompanied by the familiar sight of snowflakes falling from the sky.
My old home's a callin'
The singer hears a calling from their hometown or the place they grew up in.
Tall pine's are hummin'
The artist associates the hum of wind through the trees with the approaching season and the feeling of excitement it brings.
'Cause Christmas time's a comin'
The excitement building up is attributed to Christmas, hence it's the central theme.
Can't you hear them bells ringin' bringin' joy to all
The sound of bells chimes in unison with the joy and that surrounds everyone during the season.
Could ya hear 'em singin'
The voices of choirs and carolers harmonizing the familiar tunes that announce the atmosphere of the season.
When it's snowin' I'll be goin'
The familiarity and excitement of snow during the winter season add to the artist's already anticipated moment of heading back to their home.
Back to my country home
The destination of the singer is their rural hometown or back to the country where they grew up.
Aw, here's some other boys that wanna go home
The singer spots other people nearby who also anticipate going home for Christmas.
Yeah! Merry Christmas to you too
The exchange of holiday greetings among people who have the same desire and excitement for the season.
Holy's in the window
The sight of Christmas decorations in the form of religious symbols like candles, crosses, or even angels seen in the window as the artist passes by.
Home is where the wind blows
Home is a place where the familiar wind blows, and the artist equates it like returning to their heartland where they are at peace.
Can't walk, we're runnin'
The excitement and feeling of impatience overtaking the singers as they hurry to get to their destination.
I'll let you play if you give me a present
A light-hearted comment the singer directed towards someone as they try to persuade them to give them a Christmas present.
On second thought, I think all you guys deserve a present
The artist is being appreciative and feeling kindhearted towards people, irrespective of knowing them, and offering them gifts for the season.
Home fire's are burnin'
The warmth of the fire signifies comfort, safety and a welcoming feeling, a feeling of being home.
My old heart's a yurnin'
The artist's heart longs for the Christmas togetherness with their family and friends and has a strong desire to be with them.
For the folks at home
The reason for the long-awaited desire to be home is for the people waiting for the singer at home.
Merry Christmas
A general greeting for the season to everyone around.
I'm going home
The singer's anticipation thus far ends finally culminating in the trip back home, their desired place to be at this time.
Writer(s): Tex Logan
Contributed by Maria L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Romy K.
on Gypsy Joe And Me
As a matter of fact she's contemplating suicide standing on the bridge, that's how they'll be together again.