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
Silent Night
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm, all is bright
Round young virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Silent night
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's version of "Silent Night" delve into the serene and sacred atmosphere surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening verse evokes a sense of peace and tranquility, emphasizing the calm and brightness of this holy night. It sets the scene with the image of the young virgin Mary cradling her child, the infant Jesus, with a tenderness and mildness that speaks to the purity of this divine moment. The repetition of the phrase "sleep in heavenly peace" further emphasizes the tranquility and sacredness of the night.
The second verse introduces the shepherds who witness this miraculous event, portraying their awe and reverence as they quake at the sight of the glories streaming from Heaven. The mention of the heavenly hosts singing "Hallelujah" underscores the celestial celebration marking the birth of Christ, the Savior. The repetition of the declaration that Christ is born serves as a powerful proclamation of this pivotal moment in history, when hope and salvation enter the world.
Continuing on, the third verse exalts Jesus as the Son of God and the embodiment of love's pure light. The imagery of radiant beams emanating from His holy face symbolizes the illuminating presence and grace He brings to humanity. The reference to the dawn of redeeming grace heralds the transformative power of Christ's birth, offering salvation and spiritual renewal to all who embrace His message. The closing lines affirm Jesus as Lord at His birth, emphasizing His divine nature and the significance of His arrival on this silent, holy night.
In its simplicity and profound spiritual depth, "Silent Night" encapsulates the essence of Christmas as a time of peace, love, and divine intervention. The imagery of Mary and baby Jesus, the awe of the shepherds, and the radiant presence of Christ as the Savior all contribute to the rich tapestry of faith and reverence woven throughout the song. Dolly Parton's rendition of this timeless classic captures the essence of the Christmas story, inviting listeners to reflect on the significance of the Nativity and the enduring message of hope and redemption brought forth on that silent, holy night.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
Peaceful night, sacred night
All is calm, all is bright
Everything is peaceful and illuminated
Round young virgin, mother and child
Surrounding the young virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Holy baby so gentle and delicate
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace
Rest in divine tranquility, rest in divine tranquility
Shepherds quake at the sight
Shepherds tremble at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Glories shine from far away in Heaven
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Angelic beings sing Hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born
Jesus the Savior is born
Son of God, love's pure light
Child of God, pure light of love
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
Radiant rays from Your holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
With the arrival of saving grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Your birth
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Cixqo, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Rossio Music Publishing
Written by: Chuck Howard, Franz Gruber, John Berry, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noel McMahon
I love this song and i love listening to Dolly Parton sing
Angel Wolfette
THANK GOD for Ms. Dolly!
Peter Steele
Marvins it's almost the holiday season the tree is so pretty it full the house with happiness and joy and peace to this season the blessing we have are so happy to rejoicing over all things we see this is Peter your friend.
David Conner
great song. me and my wife. meet her. she was hreat.