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
Little Sparrow
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All ye maidens hede my warning
Never trust the hearts of men
Leaving you to never mend
They will vow to always love you
Swear no love but yours will do
Then they'll leave you for another
Break your little heart in two
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
If I were a little sparrow
O'er these mountains I would fly
I would find him, I would find him
Look into his lying eyes
I would flutter all around him
On my little sparrow wings
I would ask him, I would ask him
Why he let me love in vain
I am not a little sparrow
I am just the broken dream
Of a cold false-hearted lover
And his evil cunning scheme
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All ye maidens fair and tender
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Oh the sorrow never ends
Dolly Partonโs song โLittle Sparrowโ is a poignant warning to young women to be vigilant against the charms and deception of men who vow their undying love, but have no intention of keeping their promises. The little sparrow is a metaphor for the innocent and trusting heart of a young maiden, who is easily broken, just like the birdโs wings. The songโs lyrics warn that no matter how sweetly a man may whisper words of love, his ultimate intention is to leave his female companion heartbroken and alone, just like the little sparrow whose fragile wings are crushed, and who feels no pain.
Partonโs lyrics also suggest that the sparrow is a symbol of hope for young women. Despite the pain and heartbreak she may suffer at the hands of deceitful men, the little sparrow still flies high and feels no pain, reminding young women to keep their spirits high in the face of adversity. The songโs final lines bring a note of sadness to the lyrics, revealing that the sorrow never ends for those who have been deceived and hurt, reminding listeners to be cautious and protect themselves.
The song is a blend of traditional Bluegrass and Country music, featuring Partonโs distinctive voice and skillful instrumentation. The melody is achingly beautiful, with the guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle all contributing to a haunting accompaniment that perfectly suits the bittersweet lyrics. โLittle Sparrowโ is a timeless classic that speaks to the experiences of women everywhere and has inspired many artists and musicians across the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Little sparrow, little sparrow
The singer addresses a small, delicate bird, empathizing with its vulnerability.
Precious fragile little thing
The singer highlights the bird's priceless worth and sensitivity to harm.
Flies so high and feels no pain
The bird appears to soar free and unencumbered, unburdened by pain.
All ye maidens hede my warning
The artist addresses all young women, urging them to take heed of her advice.
Never trust the hearts of men
The artist cautions against believing in the love and loyalty of men.
They will crush you like a sparrow
The singer compares the destructive power of men to the harm that could befall a small bird.
Leaving you to never mend
The singer points out that the harm done may be irreparable.
They will vow to always love you
The artist acknowledges the promises men will make in the pursuit of romantic interests.
Swear no love but yours will do
The artist notes how convincingly men will speak in order to gain affection.
Then they'll leave you for another
The artist points out the betrayal that will inevitably follow such promises.
Break your little heart in two
The singer describes the emotional pain that follows abandonment and betrayal.
If I were a little sparrow
The artist imagines what it would be like to be as free and unencumbered as the small bird she's been addressing.
O'er these mountains I would fly
The singer imagines herself soaring over geographic obstacles.
I would find him, I would find him
The singer envisions tracking down the man who caused her pain.
Look into his lying eyes
The singer plans to confront the man and catch him in his lying.
I would flutter all around him
The artist describes how she would encircle and investigate the man like a bird.
On my little sparrow wings
The artist envisions herself fluttering around using the small bird's wings as a metaphor for her own vulnerability.
I would ask him, I would ask him
The singer repeats her plan to demand answers from the man who betrayed her.
Why he let me love in vain
The singer questions the man's motives in allowing her to believe he loved her without reciprocating.
I am not a little sparrow
The artist realizes that, unlike the bird, she is unable to fly away from her problems.
I am just the broken dream
The artist acknowledges the pain of a love that never came to fruition.
Of a cold false-hearted lover
The artist identifies the source of her pain as the cruel and deceitful man who once professed love to her.
And his evil cunning scheme
The singer implies that the man's intention was always to deceive and harm her.
Oh the sorrow never ends
The artist laments the ongoing pain that comes from such betrayal.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ameliacelestem.7800
[Verse 1]
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All you maidens hede my warning
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
They will vow to always love you
Swear no love but yours will do
Then they'll leave you for another
Break your little heart in two
[Chorus]
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
[Verse 2]
If I were a little sparrow
Over these mountains I would fly
I would find him, I would find him
Look into his lying eyes
I would flutter all around him
On my little sparrow wings
I would ask him, I would ask him
Why he let me love in vain[Verse 1]
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All you maidens hede my warning
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
They will vow to always love you
Swear no love but yours will do
Then they'll leave you for another
Break your little heart in two
[Chorus]
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
[Verse 2]
If I were a little sparrow
Over these mountains I would fly
I would find him, I would find him
Look into his lying eyes
I would flutter all around him
On my little sparrow wings
I would ask him, I would ask him
Why he let me love in vain
I am not a little sparrow
I am just the broken dream
Of a cold false-hearted lover
And his evil cunning scheme
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
All you maidens fair and tender
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
[Outro]
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Oh the sorrow never ends
@tylerkaytipton
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All ye maidens, heed my warning
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
They will vow to always love you
Swear no love but yours will do
Then they'll leave you for another
Break your little heart in two
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
If I were a little sparrow
O'er these mountains I would fly
I would find him, I would find him
Look into his lying eyes
I would flutter all around him
On my little sparrow wings
I would ask him, I would ask him
Why he let me love in vain
I am not a little sparrow
I am just the broken dream
Of a cold false-hearted lover
And his evil cunning scheme
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Precious fragile little thing
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Flies so high and feels no pain
All ye maidens fair and tender
Never trust the hearts of men
They will crush you like a sparrow
Leaving you to never mend
Little sparrow, little sparrow
Oh, the sorrow never ends
Source:ย Musixmatch
Songwriters: Dolly Parton
@timcotton9874
My Mom is from the hills of Kentucky and had 15 brothers and sisters.and grew up dirt poor if you define poor by material things they were poor but they were so rich in love and kindness and they were blessed with musical talent. My Mom can play 3 different instruments the guitar and banjo and the fiddle. Ebveryone of my aunts and uncles play some kind of instrument.
@Sally150
I love the traditional mountain music. So beautiful.
@tanyacornett-schifler5007
I came because Dolly is one of the best song writers of all time. How awesome in this day and age to write a ballad to sound like it is hundreds of years old
@maebliss344
Amen!
@astro88girl
๐
@Ripleys_mom
Dolly is at her best when she does bluegrass. I remember when she was on Porter Wagner. I was a kid but loved her and would work those old rabbit ears.
@herbertwells8757
What are you talking about? Making a song sound old is obviously the easy part. Just model it on other old songs. Itโs the opposite of being original. (On the other hand Arthur Freed used to say, โGood is original enough.โ) So whatโs the hard part? Conviction. Iโm not saying this isnโt a pretty good song. I like it fineโbut there are are plenty of century-oldโor two-centuries-old, for that matterโlousy songs. Itโs not good BECAUSE it sounds old to you; itโs goodโsort ofโDESPITE its lack of originality.
@ademetri1
Goosebumps every time
@kmr101
Dolly is always pure as the first snow of winter, Appalachian queenโค
@janestratton8571
Love this song makes me cry.