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
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a man
The Lord must have appointed
To live among us mountain folks
In eastern Tennessee
And he delivered more than half
The babies in those mountains
Among those babies
He delivered me
There was no way to drive along
The roads back in those mountains
But Dr. Thomas got there
Just the same
He often rode on horseback
To get where he was needed
But if he had to walk
He always came
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a friend
A neighbor and a doctor
Though he seldom got a dime
For all he'd done
And I remember lots of times
We sent for Dr. Thomas
But I don't recall a time
He didn't come
They say a man is judged
By the deeds he does while livin'
A judgement when he stands
Before the Lord
And I know heaven holds a place
For men like Dr. Thomas
And I know that he'll receive
His just reward
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
The song "Dr. Robert F. Thomas" by Dolly Parton is a tribute to the doctor who delivered her in rural eastern Tennessee in 1946. The lyrics describe Dr. Thomas as a beloved figure in the community who enriched the lives of everyone who knew him. He delivered over half of the babies in the mountains, often riding horseback or walking to get to his patients. He was a friend, neighbor, and doctor who seldom received payment for his services.
The song is a heartfelt tribute to a man who made a significant impact on the lives of those in his community. It speaks to the idea that people are judged by the deeds they do while living and that Dr. Thomas will receive his just reward in heaven. The lyrics, combined with Dolly Parton's emotional delivery, create a powerful tribute to a man who is remembered fondly to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
The song is about Dr. Robert F. Thomas and his contributions to the people in eastern Tennessee.
May his name forever stand
Dr. Thomas’ name should always be remembered for his great deeds.
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
The song repeats the name of Dr. Thomas to highlight his importance.
Was a mighty, mighty man
Dr. Thomas was a strong and capable person.
And he enriched the lives
Dr. Thomas improved the quality of life for those he served.
Of everyone that ever knew him
Dr. Thomas had a positive impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
And in my song I hope to sing
Dolly Parton hopes to honor Dr. Thomas through this song.
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas deserves recognition for his contributions to his community.
Dr. Thomas was a man
He was a human being who lived and worked in this world.
The Lord must have appointed
Dolly Parton believes that Dr. Thomas was chosen by God for his important work.
To live among us mountain folks
Dr. Thomas chose to help the people living in the mountains of Tennessee.
In eastern Tennessee
This region of Tennessee is where Dr. Thomas worked and lived.
And he delivered more than half
Dr. Thomas delivered over 50% of the babies born in the mountains where he worked.
The babies in those mountains
Dr. Thomas helped bring new life into the world for the people living in the mountains.
Among those babies
Dolly Parton herself was born with Dr. Thomas’ help.
He delivered me
Dolly Parton owes her life to Dr. Thomas’ work as a doctor and midwife.
There was no way to drive along
The roads in the mountains of Tennessee were not always accessible by car.
The roads back in those mountains
The roads in the mountains where Dr. Thomas worked were difficult to navigate.
But Dr. Thomas got there
Despite the challenges, Dr. Thomas always found a way to reach his patients.
Just the same
Dr. Thomas did not let the difficult terrain stop him from providing medical care.
He often rode on horseback
Dr. Thomas sometimes had to travel by horse to reach his patients.
To get where he was needed
Dr. Thomas went wherever he was called to help those in need.
But if he had to walk
Dr. Thomas was determined to reach his patients, even if that meant walking.
He always came
Dr. Thomas never let anything get in the way of his mission to provide medical care.
Dr. Thomas was a friend
Dr. Thomas was not just a doctor, but also a trusted companion to those he served.
A neighbor and a doctor
Dr. Thomas was part of the community and provided care to his neighbors.
Though he seldom got a dime
Dr. Thomas did not receive money for most of the services he provided.
For all he'd done
Despite the lack of payment, Dr. Thomas continued to work tirelessly to help those in need.
And I remember lots of times
Dolly Parton has many memories of Dr. Thomas’ work as a midwife and doctor.
We sent for Dr. Thomas
When someone needed medical help, they would call for Dr. Thomas.
But I don't recall a time
Dolly Parton cannot remember a single instance when Dr. Thomas did not respond to a request for help.
He didn't come
Dr. Thomas always answered the call for help, no matter how difficult the journey might be.
They say a man is judged
People are often evaluated based on their actions during their lifetime.
By the deeds he does while livin'
The positive impact that someone has on others is what counts in the end.
A judgement when he stands
People will be held accountable for their actions when they face their Creator.
Before the Lord
The final judgement will be made by God.
And I know heaven holds a place
Dolly Parton believes that Dr. Thomas’ actions during his lifetime have earned him a place in heaven.
For men like Dr. Thomas
People who help others without seeking anything in return will be rewarded in the afterlife.
And I know that he'll receive
Dolly Parton believes that Dr. Thomas will receive the recognition he deserves for his good deeds.
His just reward
Dr. Thomas will be repaid for all of his hard work and dedication to his community.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandra Alberti
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a man
The Lord must have appointed
To live among us mountain folks
In eastern Tennessee
And he delivered more than half
The babies in those mountains
Among those babies
He delivered me
There was no way to drive along
The roads back in those mountains
But Dr. Thomas got there
Just the same
He often rode on horseback
To get where he was needed
But if he had to walk
He always came
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a friend
A neighbor and a doctor
Though he seldom got a dime
For all he'd done
And I remember lots of times
We sent for Dr. Thomas
But I don't recall a time
He didn't come
They say a man is judged
By the deeds he does while livin'
A judgement when he stands
Before the Lord
And I know heaven holds a place
For men like Dr. Thomas
And I know that he'll receive
His just reward
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
John Hubbard
I just love that line "and he enriched the lives of everyone that ever knew him". Proper poetry.
Squi'rell 42K
this is a song about my great grandfather, Dr Robert F Thomas
Chidi Ezeafulukwe
What a bloodline !!!
Squi'rell 42K
@#'s well shoot my brotha we should hang out.
wilfred heggart
we rember kim they called stella lea mountney an old wandering sheep lloyds mother did
YouElm
You should be (and apparently are) so proud! I just found out about your great-grandfather and discovered this song - it's beautiful and befitting such an honourable man.
Uko Essien
Lewis Sinclair Thats cool
Alexandra Alberti
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a man
The Lord must have appointed
To live among us mountain folks
In eastern Tennessee
And he delivered more than half
The babies in those mountains
Among those babies
He delivered me
There was no way to drive along
The roads back in those mountains
But Dr. Thomas got there
Just the same
He often rode on horseback
To get where he was needed
But if he had to walk
He always came
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Dr. Thomas was a friend
A neighbor and a doctor
Though he seldom got a dime
For all he'd done
And I remember lots of times
We sent for Dr. Thomas
But I don't recall a time
He didn't come
They say a man is judged
By the deeds he does while livin'
A judgement when he stands
Before the Lord
And I know heaven holds a place
For men like Dr. Thomas
And I know that he'll receive
His just reward
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
May his name forever stand
Dr. Robert F. Thomas
Was a mighty, mighty man
And he enriched the lives
Of everyone that ever knew him
And in my song I hope to sing
Some of the praise that's due him
Olasunkanmi Daromosu
I love it so much.
doctor octopus
i listen to this song when i’m very drunk. godspeed to Dr. Robert F Thomas and Miss Parton