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
Precious Memories
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger ever near me
And the sacred scenes unfold
Precious father, loving mother
Fly across the lonely years
And those old home scenes of my childhood
In fond memory appear
Precious memories
How they linger
How they ever flood my soul
Then, the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious memories
How they linger
How they ever flood my soul
Then, the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious memories
Dolly Parton's song "Precious Memories" is a nostalgic piece that evokes emotions of longing and fondness for the past. The opening lines of "Precious memories, unseen angels sent from somewhere to my soul" speaks of something mystical and otherworldly. It may suggest that the memories are so powerful that they seem to come from a place beyond the physical world. The following line "how they linger ever near me, and the sacred scenes unfold" gives us the sense that these memories are holy, and they stay with us always. The song speaks of the singer's parents and the memories of their home in her childhood.
The chorus repeats the phrase "precious memories," emphasizing their importance and the way they persist in the soul. The lines "how they ever flood my soul, then the stillness of the midnight, precious sacred scenes unfold" suggest that these memories are so vivid that even in the quietest moments of the night, they come alive before the singer's eyes.
In conclusion, "Precious Memories" is a song that speaks to the human experience of remembering the past, particularly memories of our childhood and loved ones who have passed away. It's a song that celebrates these memories, highlighting the power and importance of memory in shaping who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Precious memories
Memories of great significance
unseen angels
Perhaps referring to ancestors or loved ones who have passed on
Sent from somewhere to my soul
Memories seem to mysteriously come from an unknown place and touch my soul
How they linger ever near me
Memories stay close to me
And the sacred scenes unfold
Memories reveal themselves and the feelings of sacredness they bring
Precious father, loving mother
Parents who are dear to me
Fly across the lonely years
Memories of my parents seem to fly across the loneliness of time to me
And those old home scenes of my childhood
Memories of the old scenes from my childhood home
In fond memory appear
Memories of these scenes appear with warm, loving feelings
Contributed by Lillian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Precious memories, unseen angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger, ever near me
And the sacred past unfolds
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious father, loving mother
Fly across the lonely years
And old home scenes, of my childhood
In fond memory appears
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
I remember, mother prayin'
Father too, on bended knee
The sun is sinkin', shadows fallin'
But their prayers still follow me
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious memories fill my soul🇨🇦
Gilbert Amengai
Precious memories unseen angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger ever near me
And the sacred past unfold
Precious memories how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
As I travel on life's pathway
I know not what the years may hold
And as I ponder, hope grows fonder
Precious memories flood my soul
Precious memories how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Graceson DS Jones
God is a spirit those that worship him must do so in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
Don't just have faith, have faith in God, and his word.
For if I read James 1:5 (KJV), do not leave out James 1:6,7, and 8 (KJV),
and while we at it live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
For in the first, the book was written as a letter without verses to find a place that was sought.
Nevertheless, seek wisdom: (I know what things are, and I know the difference between them.
the rule, to reign, to have superiority: high quality or degree, and dominion,φρόνιμος,חָכְמָה), (knowing & being righteous: being in right standing before God. and keeping the integrity and maintenance of oneself, optimally)
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
~Proverbs 8:11
Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and in all thy getting get understanding.
~Proverbs 4:7
When something is spoken, be sure you heard it right.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: εἰρηνοποιός:"bravely declares God's terms which makes someone whole): for they shall be called the children of God." ~Matthew 5:9
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace:(agreement and cordialness between some of the populace of the planet earth Note: because some don't love the truth when we preach it), but a sword." ~Matthew 10:34
"Peace:(internal calm, repose, not under great stress anxiety or dread) I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.~John 14:27
I Beleive the Holy Bible, the KJV is the most accurate modern English translation.
Ben Craft
Straight from her heart.! What a treasure she is !
Russ S
This song is so great it has a great meaning I love it 😊😊
Brian Vollmer
Dolly Parton is one of God's greatest gifts.
Bj Cash
My grandma just passed she loved Dolly, these two words sum up my feelings. She loved Dolly and when I found out Dolly done this song it was re assurance that we are saved!!!
D.J Phelps
I love this song so much. It still chokes me up when I sing this song and hear it on the end of the movie "Daddy is Dying Who Has the Will." Dolly does a wonderful job on this too! Best Wishes LittleCountryDJ
MrReto2812
the voice of an angel!
Carlotta Callahan
She does such a fine job on presenting these ole Gospel songs. Love them. God Bless
Vashti Ramsubhag
Greatest singer Dolly Parton.. As l have always admired your singing... 🌹🤗Precious memories.. Will stay with us till we are no more... 🤗👍🌹✨
Hilda Hogan
Dolly sing it
gingercat555
Sung with such deep emotion as always from Dolly ... she knows how to get into your mind through her music ... Dolly's live performances always give that extra special feeling ... seen Dolly live a few times and always come away on a high.