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
My Mountain My Home
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a straightback chair on two legs, leans against the wall
Watch the kids a' playin' with June bugs on a string
And chase the glowin' fireflies when evenin' shadows fall
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Honeysuckle vine clings to the fence along the lane
Their fragrance makes the summer wind so sweet
And on a distant hilltop, an eagle spreads it's wings
An' a songbird on a fence post sings a melody
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Crickets sing in the fields near by
Walkin' home from church on a Sunday with the one ya' love
Just laughin', talkin', making future plans
And when the folks ain't lookin', you might steal a kiss or two
Sittin' in the porch swing, holdin' hands
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Crickets sing in the fields near by
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "My Mountain My Home" depict a peaceful and idyllic life in the mountains of Tennessee. The singer of the song is sitting on a front porch on a summer afternoon, observing children playing with June bugs and catching fireflies as the sun sets. The second verse describes the honeysuckle vines clinging to the fence along the lane, creating a sweet summer fragrance, and a bird singing in the distance. The final verse speaks of walking home from church on a Sunday with the one you love, making future plans and stealing kisses on the porch swing.
The song is an ode to the simple pleasures and contentment that can be found in a rural setting. It embodies the sentiment that home is where the heart is, and for the singer, that place is her Tennessee mountain home. The song highlights the beauty and tranquility of rural life, where the sound of crickets in the field is a lullaby and the sight of an eagle spreading its wings is a magnificent display.
Interestingly, the song was written by Dolly Parton in 1973 while she was traveling in New York. She wrote the lyrics on a paper bag and mailed them to her mother, who set them to music. Parton has stated that the song is autobiographical, based on her childhood memories growing up in the mountains of Tennessee.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' on the front porch on a summer afternoon
Enjoying a relaxing moment outside the house during summer
In a straightback chair on two legs, leans against the wall
Sitting comfortably on a chair against the wall with only two legs on the ground
Watch the kids a' playin' with June bugs on a string
Observing children as they entertain themselves by playing with bugs tied on strings
And chase the glowin' fireflies when evenin' shadows fall
Following the flashing lights of fireflies as night approaches
In my Tennessee mountain home
Referring to a peaceful residence in the mountains of Tennessee
Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh
Life in the mountain home is calm and tranquil
Crickets sing in the fields near by
Fields surrounding the mountain home are filled with the sounds of chirping crickets
Honeysuckle vine clings to the fence along the lane
Describing the presence of honeysuckle plants that grow over the fence
Their fragrance makes the summer wind so sweet
The scent of the honeysuckle fills the air with a sweet aroma
And on a distant hilltop, an eagle spreads it's wings
A majestic eagle can be seen on a hilltop spreading its wings
An' a songbird on a fence post sings a melody
A songbird perched on a fence post sings a peaceful tune
Walkin' home from church on a Sunday with the one ya' love
Strolling back from church on a Sunday with a beloved person
Just laughin', talkin', making future plans
Having light-hearted conversation and making plans for the future
And when the folks ain't lookin', you might steal a kiss or two
Taking advantage of the moment if no one is looking to share some affection
Sittin' in the porch swing, holdin' hands
Sitting together on a porch swing while holding hands
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Auntietessable
Dolly is such a National Treasure. Her songs connect to us because they are written & sung from the heart. She paints such vivid pictures with words & melodies. I almost feel like the Tennessee Mountains are my home too. May God continue to bless this amazing woman whom brings such joy & comfort to the world.
Ruby Smith
Agreed. Dolly is one of my favorite celebrities in the world.
Jank Willson
She is REAL country music. Not all this modern garbage pop/rock 'country' music...
Joao Rodrigues
That is what a humble legend is all about
Zachary Vogt
Dolly Parton you are, the greatest singer, author, actress, song writer, insperation, ect. I cannot thank the good Lord enough for blessing my ears with the sound of your voice -your youngest, biggest fan
Ruby Smith
Yes!
Susan Jolly
Dolly is an amazing woman, she is the perfect human being, god bless her for all she does 🙏❤
Jaime Taylor
Dolly has the most beautiful voice , her country music has always touched me. I hope to see her live one day. Love you Dolly
Josh Tuckey
Surprising how good her singing voice is at her age
Karen Anderson
Love it❤️! What a phenomenally talented lady,