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
Satan's River
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satan's got a river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tire
But some day Satan's river
Yes some day Satan's river is gonna run dry it's gonna run dry
What was once a smooth river hot lava will make the tide
Big yachts are sailing Satan's river so smooth
Never stopping or thinking about God's golden rule
When the river starts to sinking they'll cry I've been a fool
Satan's got river deep and wide
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming in the warm smooth tide
Satan's got river...
In Dolly Parton's song "Satan's River," she warns listeners of the dangerous lure and temptation of Satan's river. The repeated phrase "Satan's got river" paints a vivid image of a menacing body of water, deep and wide. The river is deceptive with its "warm smooth tire," drawing people in with its pleasant facade. However, Parton warns that one day the river will run dry, and what was once a smooth river will become hot lava, making the tide. This line suggests that the devil's river is not sustainable and should not be trusted.
Parton's lyrics allude to the idea that those who swim in the river are making a poor choice, and heaven is on either side of the river. The image of big yachts sailing on the river alludes to the wealthy and privileged who may be enjoying their temporary pleasure on the river but ultimately, will regret their actions. The line "Never stopping or thinking about God's golden rule," warning against those who indulge in their own pleasures without any moral consideration. Parton's choice of metaphors is a warning to stay away from the devil's temptations.
Overall, "Satan's River" is a cautionary tale about resisting temptation, staying true to one's values and morals, and ultimately choosing heaven over the temporary pleasure that sin can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
Satan has a powerful and vast lure for people to follow him down his path.
And he's got folks a swimming in the warm smooth tire
Satan has convinced many people to indulge in their earthly desires, leading them to a false sense of happiness.
But some day Satan's river
However, one day the comforts of Satan's path will come to an end.
Yes some day Satan's river is gonna run dry it's gonna run dry
One day, the allure of Satan's temptations will no longer be effective.
What was once a smooth river hot lava will make the tide
Satan's previously alluring path will be replaced with harsh and unbearable consequences.
Stay clear of Satan's river heaven's on either side
Choosing to avoid the allure of Satan's path leads to either a path towards heaven or a path further from it.
Big yachts are sailing Satan's river so smooth
Many wealthy and privileged people are able to indulge in Satan's path without consequences due to their power and status.
Never stopping or thinking about God's golden rule
These people do not consider the consequences of their actions and continue to follow Satan without regard for morality.
When the river starts to sinking they'll cry I've been a fool
When Satan's path leads to its inevitable end, those who followed it will regret their decisions and realize they were foolish.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PORTER WAGONER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Romy K.
on Gypsy Joe And Me
As a matter of fact she's contemplating suicide standing on the bridge, that's how they'll be together again.