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
It's My Time
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gather round girls
You I grew up with
My old friends that I used to scuff with
Need you round me
At this time
You've all had your turn to cry
Friends of mine
Stand by me
'Cause it's my time
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry
Mm mm mmm
It's my time to cry
Oh oh oh oh
It's my turn to cry yeah
It's my time
Gather round boys
I used to play house with
Come here boys
I first kissed on the mouth with
Need your tender words so kind
You've all had your misty eyes
An old friend stood by to dry
Friends of mine
Stand by me
'Cause it's my time
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry
Whoa whoa
It's my time to cry yeah
It's my turn to cry mmm
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry mmmm
In Dolly Parton's song "It's My Time," she reaches out to her childhood friends to come be with her during a time of need. The lyrics suggest that her friends have all had their time to cry and now it's her turn. She wants her friends to be by her side as she faces her own emotional struggles. She calls out to both her female and male childhood friends, reminiscing about playful memories and intimate moments they all shared. She wants to hear their "tender words so kind" as she deals with her own pain.
The song is essentially about the importance of having a support system during difficult times in life. Even when all seems lost, having close friends who understand you and are willing to stand by you can make all the difference. The lyrics are emotional and reflective, as Parton looks back on her past and realizes the significance of her childhood friendships. The theme of the song is universal, as many people can relate to relying on their friends during trying times.
Line by Line Meaning
It's my time
I am at a point in my life where I need my friends to gather around and support me
Gather round girls
I need the girls I grew up with, my old friends, to surround me and provide emotional support
You I grew up with
I am referring to the girls I have known since childhood, who are like family to me
My old friends that I used to scuff with
These old friends are the ones I used to play and roughhouse with, who have been through good times and tough times with me
Need you round me
I need these friends to be close and present in my life during this difficult time
At this time
I am specifically referring to the current point in my life when I need their support
You've all had your turn to cry
My friends have gone through their own struggles and now it's my turn to need their help
An old friend stood closely by
I have already experienced having an old friend stand by me during a tough time, and I hope the others will do the same
Friends of mine
Again, referring to the close friends I have had for many years
Stand by me
I need my friends to be there for me and provide support
'Cause it's my time
I am emphasizing that this is my time of need and it's important that my friends be there for me
It's my time to cry
I am going through a difficult emotional period and need the support of my friends
Gather round boys
I also need the support of the boys I used to be close with, including those I played 'house' with and kissed as a young person
I used to play house with
These are specifically the boys I played childhood games with, indicating how deep and long-standing these relationships are
Come here boys
I am inviting the boys to be present and offer their support at this time
I first kissed on the mouth with
These boys were also my first romantic experiences, indicating an even deeper level of connection
Need your tender words so kind
I specifically need the emotional support and kindness of the boys I am addressing
You've all had your misty eyes
Similar to the line in the girls' verse, I am emphasizing that my friends have gone through their own struggles, and now it's my time to need them
An old friend stood by to dry
Like with my girl friends, I have already had an old friend support me in this way, and I hope the others will do the same
Whoa whoa
This is likely an emotional outburst indicating how difficult this time is for me
It's my time to cry yeah
Again emphasizing that I am going through a tough time and need the support of my friends
It's my turn to cry mmm
Repeating and emphasizing the main point of the song: that it's my time to experience difficulty and need the support of my friends
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LOUDERMILK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tricorvus
It's my time
Gather round girls
You I grew up with
My old friends that I used to scuff with
Need you round me
At this time
You've all had your turn to cry
An old friend stood closely by
Friends of mine
Stand by me
'Cause it's my time
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry
Mm mm mmm
It's my time to cry
Oh oh oh oh
It's my turn to cry yeah
It's my time
Gather round boys
I used to play house with
Come here boys
I first kissed on the mouth with
Need your tender words so kind
You've all had your misty eyes
An old friend stood by to dry
Friends of mine
Stand by me
'Cause it's my time
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry
Whoa whoa
It's my time to cry yeah
It's my turn to cry mmm
It's my time
It's my time
It's my time to cry mmmm
Norman Reedus
Mike ve michael'ın gözleri sığınağın öbür tarafına kaydı uzak köşede pirinç bir sehpanın üzerinde 56 ekran bir TV vardı ve sarışın çekici bir kadın adeta dinleyeni aşıkları oklarıyla avlayan Eros gibi Tam kalbinden vurup aşık eden o büyüleyici heyecan dolu sesiyle Amerikan folk müziğinin en ünlü şarkılarından biri olan it's my time adlı şarkıyı seslendiriyordu♥️
kanime kanime
I love these original country music. May God bless mum Dolly and those who are resting in silence houses. May they rest in the eternal peace.
Shan-Advocate for peace & justice
One of my best country singer 🙋🏻♀️ sure a unique voice 🥰
Msolombogozi Tatu
Motivating, soul blessing song
Ncedani Khanyisile
I can't stop listening to this mesmerizing voice.... Wow
more okeh wome
Oh! How I love this song.
Nancy Marquis
I just sent this to my dear old friend who is on hospice. Sometimes Dolly can say it best.
Nancy Chepkwony
My favourite song.
Many Blessings.
Thandiwe Goxo
I love you Dollies, listening to you is always a good feeling and, yes, its my time, thanks for reminding me.
Michael Loktet
I love it thanks a lot dolly may God bless you