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
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watch o'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light
Go tell it on the mountain
The shepherds feared and trembled when low above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior's birth
Go tell it on the mountain
Go tell it on the mountain
Go tell it on the mountain
Dolly Parton's version of the traditional Christmas carol "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is a beautiful and heartfelt interpretation of the classic hymn. The lyrics speak to the joy and wonder that surround Christ's birth, and the urgency of spreading the good news to all who will hear it. When Parton sings, "Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere," she's calling on all believers to share the message far and wide, so that everyone can experience the hope and salvation that comes with knowing Jesus Christ.
The opening lines of the song set the scene for the nativity story, with the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. As they gazed up at the star-filled sky, they were filled with awe and wonder at the holy light that shone from above. When the angels appeared and announced the Savior's birth, the shepherds were filled with fear and trembling. But they also felt a deep sense of joy and gratitude, as they realized that this event was a true miracle, and a sign of God's love for all people.
Throughout the song, Dolly Parton's clear and powerful voice conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the Christ child, and a deep sense of joy at the message of the gospel. Her interpretation of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and a call to all believers to share the good news with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere
Spread the message of Jesus Christ's birth high up on the mountain, throughout the hills and everywhere else
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born
Make sure to share the news that Jesus Christ has been born
While shepherds kept their watch o'er silent flocks by night
During the night, shepherds watched their flocks in silence
Behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light
Behold, a pure light shone across the heavens
Go tell it on the mountain
Spread the word about Jesus Christ's birth on the mountaintops
The shepherds feared and trembled when low above the earth
The shepherds felt fear and awe when angels came low to the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior's birth
The angels sang a chorus of praise for the birth of our Savior
Go tell it on the mountain
Share the news about Jesus Christ's birth far and wide
Go tell it on the mountain
Be sure to tell everyone about Jesus Christ's birth
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL BATEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And brought us all salvation
That blessed Christmas morn
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
That Jesus Christ is born
Floyd Atkinson
I think Dolly is blessed with the talents to which she magnifies God's Glory.
Dwayne Weaver
Amen!!!! I agree
King Music
Hands down, Dolly Parton is one of the greatest vocal artists and song writers of all time. A true original who can never, or will ever, be duplicated.
Fixed Awupi
@Amanda Hookumchand 1qq
Peter 2
QUEEN OF COUNTY
autobotjazz1972
Agreed when she was made they broke the mold.
Jayden Bluebell
@Carlin Pendleton UNLIKELY ANGEL.
Ethan Brown
@Carlin Pendleton i think it's got a lot to do with the type of person she is and her voice is very comforting to many people because shes been around for so long and has always been honest and very genuine
Cutie Teanna
Dolly Parton can sing!!!! Her voice is so soothing!!!! She is awesome!!!
Rowen170
2020 has just been awful. Listening to Christmas songs to help lift my spirits. Thank you God for sending Jesus to do for me what I couldn't do for myself.