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
Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, the soldiers in the army, we know they're mighty fine
And the Navy, Air Force and Marines keep us all in line
But I don't want no more of this military life
Gee, Ma, I wanna go, but they won't let me go
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, the viddles in the mess hall, they say they're mighty fine
Oh, I don't want no more of this military life
Gee, Ma, I wanna go, but they won't let me go
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, I wanna go back home, back where civilians roam
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Well, now, I tried to join the army, they said my feet were flat
And since I can not see them, I'll take their word for that
Oh Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, I wanna go back home, back where civilians roam
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, the mother of all battles is what Sadam had planned
Well, he shoulda sent his Mother 'cause his troops all turned and ran
Oh, I don't want no more of this military life
Gee, Ma, I wanna go, but they won't let me go
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Oh, I wanna go back home, back where civilians roam
Where my rules are all my own
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's Gee Ma I Wanna Go Home are about a soldier who is tired of the military life and wants to go back home. The soldier is expressing his dissatisfaction with the life he leads and the food he eats. The lyrics also express his frustration with not being able to leave the military and go back to civilian life. He longs for the freedom he once had and grapples with the reality of being away from home.
The song highlights the difficulties that soldiers face in the military and their longing to return to the life they once knew. It also speaks about the toll that being in the military takes on their mental health and their desire to return to their families. It underscores the idea that soldiers are often forced into situations they do not want and are rarely given a choice.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and speak to a universal truth that transcends time and cultures. Most people want to be able to make choices about their lives and have the freedom to pursue their dreams. The song holds up a mirror to the military and shows the human cost of war and conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee, Ma, I wanna go, but they won't let me go
Expressing desire to leave military life but not being allowed to do so
Gee, Ma, I wanna go home
Expressing a longing to return to the comforts of home
Oh, the soldiers in the army, we know they're mighty fine
Acknowledging the admirable qualities of soldiers in the military
And the Navy, Air Force and Marines keep us all in line
Recognizing the importance of different branches of the military in maintaining order and discipline
But I don't want no more of this military life
Expressing dissatisfaction with the military lifestyle
Oh, the viddles in the mess hall, they say they're mighty fine
Acknowledging the quality of food in the mess hall
But that She-Ite on a shingle, why, I think I'll give you mine
Disliking a particular dish and opting to give it away
Oh, I wanna go back home, back where civilians roam
Expressing a desire to return to a civilian life
Well, now, I tried to join the army, they said my feet were flat
Recounting a failed attempt at joining the military due to physical limitations
And since I can not see them, I'll take their word for that
Trusting the medical assessment of the military regarding physical fitness
Oh the mother of all battles is what Sadam had planned
Reference to the Gulf War and Iraq's military strategy
Well, he shoulda sent his Mother 'cause his troops all turned and ran
Making light of the situation and mocking the Iraqi military
Where my rules are all my own
Desiring freedom and autonomy, as opposed to the strict rules and regulations of military life
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@slade2372
It is amazing how versatile Dolly can be! No matter what she sings Dolly Parton gives it her all!!
@TheArtfulRhino
Thank you veterans!
@bridgethunt94
I so needed this navy wife here and I cant wait to be back home in the Carolinas
@Christine.Delaney
I remember the first time I heard this song, I was "holy smokes! what did DOLLY just say" LOL LOL ! DOLLY CRACKS ME UP!!! I bet I replayed it a dozen times before I played the next song! DOLLY's "For God and Country" cd is super great! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
@tomasboril1640
I like your songs, even though I live in the Czech Republic. Although I don't speak English well, I still sometimes understand them. Thanks for the great songs.
@hollyhock9638
That's so cool :3 love from 🇺🇸
@PyroGothNerd
Dolly is a wonderful singer and human being
@SO-ug5ns
We love you Dolly thank you for all you do and sing to us
@MarshallRedmon01
The Biscuits in the army, they say are mighty.
One rolled from the table and killed a pal of mine.
@thomashurst8779
Love Your Music Dolly