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
Travelin' Thru
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end
I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' on
Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me
God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on
But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly
Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin'
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru
Dolly Parton's song Travelin' Thru is a spiritual reflection on the journey of life. The lyrics speak of uncertainty in where we are going or where we've been, but still having the desire to keep traveling until we find our purpose. The song's protagonist is described as a "weary pilgrim" searching for a place that feels like home. The lyrics also incorporate religious imagery, with Jesus being nailed to a tree and the idea of redemption coming in many shapes with different kinds of pain. Overall, the song's message is one of perseverance and hope, even in the face of uncertainty.
The song was written by Dolly Parton for the film Transamerica, which tells the story of a transgender woman (played by Felicity Huffman) who travels across the country to meet her son. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from the movie Hustle & Flow. Parton's version of the song also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media.
Aside from Parton's version, the song has been covered by several artists, including Rascal Flatts and Wynonna Judd. In 2020, Parton released a new version of the song featuring the electronic band Galantis.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I can't tell you where I'm going, I'm not sure of where I've been
I'm uncertain of my past and future, but I know I must keep moving forward until my journey is done.
But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end
I must keep progressing in my journey until it reaches its conclusion.
I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I am currently on my journey and trying to get the most out of it.
I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
I feel like a puzzle, and I need to figure out how to put all the pieces of my life together.
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
Similar to the aimless stranger that is often referenced in songs.
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
I am a tired wanderer seeking a place that feels like home.
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I don't know where that place is, and I fear that I may never find it.
Questions I have many, answers but a few
I have a lot of questions, but not many answers.
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We are here to learn and gain knowledge to know the greater truth that resides in our spirit.
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
We have all faced hardships, and Jesus too faced the worst of them.
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me
I believe that when I am reborn or change, others will see a difference in me.
God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
I have a purpose in this world, and nothing happens without a reason.
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Redemption can be achieved through various forms of pain and suffering.
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
I pray that Jesus keeps me close to him throughout this journey.
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru
As I struggle and wander while traveling through this journey.
Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on
Sometimes the journey can be tough and difficult.
But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone
But if we maintain our support for each other, we won't have to face the journey alone.
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
Even when everything seems to be broken, we can try to fix it.
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly
We are capable of making a significant difference in the world, and we can achieve anything if we set our minds to it.
Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
An emotional farewell to people I care about.
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
A goodbye to all the people who knew me from a younger age.
And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
I hope to meet everyone again in the future, and express my gratitude to them for having had a more significant impact on my life than I realized.
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
I am moving directionless, like a drifting boat or a wind that wanders around.
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
I am asking God to show me the right direction and to act as my support in this journey.
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
I am an exhausted wanderer, trying to find my way towards a peaceful and comforting 'home'.
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
A prayer to keep Jesus close to me, throughout the journey.
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru
As I am constantly traveling through this journey, I am trying to figure out where I belong.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@silkscreenfantastic
This song is so inspiring. I heard it for the first time in Transamerica and I've loved it ever since. I'm not really into country music, so I never knew Dolly Parton was so talented. "God made me for a reason, and nothing is in vain." That line gets me EVERY TIME. It's so true. For everyone.
@leonelroque4248
Omg me too natasha! I use to be a heroin, crystal meth addict junkie and when I heard this song. Felt it speak to me and not to give up. It took me seven years but eventually I did it.
@slong5082
If every person of faith had Dolly's attitude the world would be a wonderful place to live for us all. Love Dolly, and LOVE this song!
@nickforbrains
We love her
@GraemeONeil
amazing lyrics. one of the best songs she's ever written. totally underrated.
@troicooper
Dolly Parton is one of the most powerful and successful Country Music Singers in the world! ( Also in case you don’t know who I am at all, Neil! ( My name is Chrissy and I am a teenage fan of yours!)
@djanderson7599
Someone who grew up on Dolly Parton and is not recognizing themselves as non-binary this song had me in tears wish I had heard it sooner thank you
@iabadbois
Every time I hear this song, it evokes such emotion... neither good or bad especially but that feeling in your heart that comes gushing our of our eyes and as those tears dry up you feel like a garden that got rained on and when the clouds part the sun comes out and makes us grow. Every person touches us in someway and the effects of that we may never know. It does seem the people we need in our life have a way of showing up down the road just when they're needed. Thanks Dolly-Beautiful song.
@sanfranciscod123
When I first heard this I 'bout cried. I struggled with internalized homophobia (still do but it is not as bad as I am becoming more accepting of myself), but material such as Dolly Parton's song helped tremendously. This is by far one of the best songs I have heard so far.
@SeanDonovan-V802
Oh man, I feel this so much 🌈