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
There Was Jesus
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I try to stand, I start to fall
And all those lonely roads that I have traveled on
There was Jesus
When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
I couldn't see it then, but I can see it now
In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing, in the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been or where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it
Or couldn't see it
There was Jesus
For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm-hmm)
For forgiveness and a price I couldn't pay (mm-hmm, mm-hmm)
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
There was Jesus
There was Jesus
In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing, in the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been or where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it
Or couldn't see it
There was Jesus
On the mountains
In the valleys
There was Jesus
In the shadows
Of the alleys
There was Jesus
In the fire, in the flood
There was Jesus
Always is and always was, oh
No, I never walk alone
Never walk alone
You're always there
In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing, in the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been or where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it
Or couldn't see it
There was Jesus
There was Jesus
There was Jesus
There was Jesus
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "There Was Jesus" express the singer's profound realization that even in her darkest moments and most challenging times, Jesus has always been present. She reflects on her attempts to navigate life on her own, only to find herself falling and feeling lost. However, in those lonely journeys, she acknowledges that Jesus was there.
When her life seemed to crumble and her friends were nowhere to be found, she couldn't understand the purpose behind her pain. But now, looking back, she sees that Jesus was there in every step of her journey. He was present in the waiting and searching, offering healing in times of hurt. Parton describes Jesus as a blessing hidden within the broken pieces of her life, providing guidance and support in every minute and every moment.
The lyrics also emphasize the singer's acknowledgment of her imperfections and need for grace. She recognizes that she is not perfect and, as a result, she expresses gratitude to God every day for the amazing kind of grace and forgiveness that she receives. Through it all, she realizes that Jesus has always been by her side, giving her strength and comfort.
Overall, "There Was Jesus" is a testament to the faith and trust Parton has in Jesus. It is a reflection on her own journey and an acknowledgment of the constant presence of Jesus in her life, even when she was unaware or unable to see it.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I try to make it on my own
Every instance I attempt to succeed independently
Every time I try to stand, I start to fall
Each occasion I strive to be strong, I begin to stumble
And all those lonely roads that I have traveled on
And all the solitary paths I have journeyed
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the existence I constructed collapsed completely
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
When the companions I had were absent
I couldn't see it then, but I can see it now
Back then, I was unable to perceive it, but now I can
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
In the waiting, in the searching
During the moments of anticipation, during the times of seeking
In the healing, in the hurting
In the process of recovery, in the moments of pain
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Similar to a gift concealed within shattered fragments
Every minute, every moment
Every single minute, every single moment
Where I've been or where I'm going
Regardless of the places I've been or the direction I'm heading
Even when I didn't know it
Even when I was unaware
Or couldn't see it
Or unable to perceive
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm-hmm)
For an individual like me who requires an extraordinary form of divine mercy
For forgiveness and a price I couldn't pay (mm-hmm, mm-hmm)
For mercy and a debt that I was incapable of repaying
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
Since I am imperfect, I express gratitude to God daily
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
On the mountains
On the peaks
In the valleys
In the low points
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
In the shadows
In the darkness
Of the alleys
Within the narrow pathways
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
In the fire, in the flood
During the moments of intense struggle, during the times of overwhelming hardship
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
Always is and always was, oh
Eternally exists and eternally was, oh
No, I never walk alone
No, I never traverse in solitude
Never walk alone
Never journey alone
You're always there
You, Jesus, are always present
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
In the waiting, in the searching
During the moments of anticipation, during the times of seeking
In the healing, in the hurting
In the process of recovery, in the moments of pain
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Similar to a gift concealed within shattered fragments
Every minute, every moment
Every single minute, every single moment
Where I've been or where I'm going
Regardless of the places I've been or the direction I'm heading
Even when I didn't know it
Even when I was unaware
Or couldn't see it
Or unable to perceive
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
There was Jesus
Jesus was present
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-tv6bv4ot1f
Lost my job of 10 years, my wife left me, i got Covid-19, My dads cancer is terminal, and yet i still keep my Faith. Jesus come now and rescue me. Please everyone pray for me. I quit drinking and just want His presence and Strength.
@mugdiller2124
In Romans it tells us that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces proven character, proven character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The world cuts us deep just like it did Jesus, but you are in Christ now, in His peace.
@jamespendleyjr.6614
Praying Nate. Today is 7 yrs. sober for me. There is help.
@mayramorales-laurent2750
Praying for you & by name! Seek His face daily! Pray without ceasing & never ever give up bc HE never has given up on us. The Enemy is busy esp in this season so do not give into his lies. Hold on to your faith & recall His track record in your life. I keep a list & it's long when I could count all the daily Blessings He has allowed & not just the "big" things in life. Thank you Jesus! Your grace is sufficient! Amen & amen & TGBTG!🙏🏽💞
PS....at 4:07am got up for some odd reason went into the BR & this beautiful song was playing - first time hearing this absolutely Godly inspired & written song! I froze & stood there to listen to a few words half asleep so I can search this song & Thx God I found it!
@jennytay9544
Our LORD is with you. Bible says HE will not forsake us. Praying for strength and showers of blessings going your way. Amen
@adasajonazi250
Praying for you, 🙏
@Amazing_God
My grandma was in a coma for 54 days and Jesus was with her the whole time! She fully recovered and is home now with no oxygen!! Thank you Jesus!!! We love you so much!
@michelleowens5860
Glory to the Lord
@Mejores_Exitos_2023
Whoever is reading know that God is with you in the valley and on the mountain. It doesnot matter how bad things are in your dear life. God will always be by your side. Blessings🙌🙌🙌
@sherricharles8149
Thank you. Prayers please