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
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
MY FRIEND AND HELPER, I SHALL NOT WANT
HE'S THERE TO GUIDE ME , STANDING BESIDE ME
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
SPOKEN:THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE IN GREEN PASTURES
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL WATERS
{I SHALL NOT WANT...}
HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME' SAKE
AND YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL : FOR THOU ART ME;
THY ROD AND THY STAFF,THEY COMFORT ME.
[I SHALL NOT WANT...]
THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENT OF MINE ENEMIES;
THOU ANNOINTH MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERRY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
AND I SHALL NOT DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER
The Lord is My Shepherd is a powerful hymn that speaks to the unending love and guidance of God. The song begins by stating, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." This line emphasizes the deep connection between the singer and God. In the following verses, the song speaks to God's consistent presence in one's life. God provides peace and comfort when faced with difficult paths in life, and goodness will always follow those who trust in him. The song's conclusion emphasizes that a life devoted to God will lead to eternal life with him.
Line by Line Meaning
THE LORD ID MY SHEPHERED , THE LORD IS MY SHEPHED
I am protected and guided by the Lord
MY FRIEND AND HELPER, I SHALL NOT WANT
The Lord is my companion and I have everything I need
HE'S THERE TO GUIDE ME , STANDING BESIDE ME
The Lord is always with me, offering guidance and support
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
I am under the care and protection of the Lord, and lack nothing
SPOKEN:THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
Reiteration of the fact that the Lord is a protector and provider
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE IN GREEN PASTURES
The Lord provides me with rest and abundance
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL WATERS
The Lord takes me to peaceful and calming places
HE RESTORETH MY SOUL
The Lord heals and rejuvenates my spirit
{I SHALL NOT WANT...}
Reiteration of the point that I lack nothing under the Lord's care
HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME' SAKE
The Lord leads me towards goodness and virtue for His glory
AND YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
Even in the darkest and most challenging times, the Lord is with me
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL : FOR THOU ART ME;
I have nothing to fear, as the Lord is always with me
THY ROD AND THY STAFF,THEY COMFORT ME.
The Lord's discipline and guidance reassure and calm me
[I SHALL NOT WANT...]
Reiteration of the point that I lack nothing under the Lord's care
THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENT OF MINE ENEMIES;
The Lord blesses me in the face of my adversaries
THOU ANNOINTH MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.
The Lord abundantly blesses and provides for me
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERRY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
I will always experience goodness and joy under the Lord's care
AND I SHALL NOT DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER
I will live eternally in the presence and care of the Lord
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anggie
THE LORD ID MY SHEPHERED , THE LORD IS MY SHEPHED
MY FRIEND AND HELPER, I SHALL NOT WANT
HE'S THERE TO GUIDE ME , STANDING BESIDE ME
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
SPOKEN:THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE IN GREEN PASTURES
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL WATERS
HE RESTORETH MY SOUL
{I SHALL NOT WANT...}
HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME' SAKE
AND YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL : FOR THOU ART ME;
THY ROD AND THY STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
[I SHALL NOT WANT...]
THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENT OF MINE ENEMIES;
THOU ANNOINTH MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERRY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
AND I SHALL NOT DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER
Spanky
Dolly has the most most amazing voice ever. I always get chills listening to her with every song. thank you for sharing your gift Dolly.
youri friend
Mis. Parton has the voice of an angel that brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear her sing. I truly feel the emotion in her voice. Thank you for touching my heart and soul with just your voice.
Melissa Chadwick
That song that Dolly just sing was so beautiful it touched my heart in many ways and made me even smile 💓 it touched my heart and what I got out of it is the love she has for everyone and a special way we love you Dolly love always Melissa
Edgerider Rocks
Beautiful ❤️!!!
D.I.
God bless you Ms. Parton! ❤️
Melissa Chadwick
I love this song that Dolly sings it's a beautiful song it made me smile just now as I was listening to it she is so amazing and so a creative and very cool she touches her hearts in many ways I know she's in my heart and always will be love always Melissa
Elizabeth Galligan
Beautiful 😍
Ndassi Nicole
This voice was beautifilly prepared before the creation of the world to praise Jesus, and to drag billions of souls to God. The Job is now baby. Sing it to us
AriDzzy
This is so beautiful 😍🎵🎶
Melissa Chadwick
I love this song that Dolly sings because The Lord is our Shepherd and he will show us the way and guide us and protect us with his prayers and blessings and Dolly sings this song you know the Lord is in your heart the way she sings it she is so amazing I love this song Love you ❤️❤️❤️ dolly love always Melissa PS you always be in my heart but lots of hugs for me and your fans you're amazing