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
When Jesus Comes Calling For Me
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was a child I recall and old man; everybody loved old Zeke
He was all alone, his family was gone; one day he said to me
I'm just sittin' here thinkin' about Jesus, rockin' as my old chair creaks
Some glad day I'll fly away when Jesus comes calling for me
It might be today, it might be tomorrow, maybe one day next week
When Jesus comes calling for me
When I die don't grieve and cry
Lordy, don't feel sorry for me
Oh what a day, what a mighty fine day
When Jesus comes calling for me
When He comes calling for me
I might be in the graveyard walking talking to my family
Or I might be plowing in the field down yonder, just old Muley and me
Wherever I am, whatever I'm a doing, some sweet day I'll see
And band of angels in a cloud of glory when Jesus comes calling for me
When He comes calling for me
When I die just close my eyes
And lay me 'neath the willow tree
Oh what a day, what a mighty fine day
When Jesus comes calling for me
When Jesus comes calling for me
I'm just sittin' here watchin' for Jesus, rockin' as my old chair creaks
Some sweet day I'll fly away when Jesus comes calling for me
When He comes calling for me
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "When Jesus Comes Calling For Me" depict the anticipation of the singer for the day they will be called by Jesus Christ. The song begins with a recollection of old Zeke, who lived alone after his family was gone. The old man would sit in his chair, rock and think about Jesus. He would often talk about his hope of seeing the band of angels in a cloud of glory when Jesus comes to call him to heaven. The song then shifts the focus to the singer, who is also waiting for Jesus' call. He/she realizes that the call could come any day, and when it does, he/she will leave all trouble and sorrow behind.
The song's lyrics put mortality and the afterlife at the center of the narrative. The singer seems to look forward to the day when he/she will be called to rest. He/she tells his/her loved ones not to grieve or feel sorry when he/she dies but instead, rejoice because "when Jesus comes calling for me, it will be a mighty fine day." The song's lyrics present a hopeful attitude towards death, emphasizing the belief that the afterlife brings relief from earthly troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a child I recall and old man; everybody loved old Zeke
I remember a man from my childhood named Zeke who was loved by everyone around him.
He was all alone, his family was gone; one day he said to me
Zeke was alone without any family and one day he spoke to me.
I'm just sittin' here thinkin' about Jesus, rockin' as my old chair creaks
Zeke sat down and began to think about Jesus while rocking back and forth in his old creaky chair.
Some glad day I'll fly away when Jesus comes calling for me
Zeke expressed his belief that one day he will pass away and fly away to be with Jesus when called.
It might be today, it might be tomorrow, maybe one day next week
Zeke knew that his call from Jesus could come at any moment, whether it be today, tomorrow, or next week.
I'll soon be done with trouble and sorrow when He comes calling for me
Zeke believed that when Jesus calls him, he will be relieved of any troubles and sorrows he may have in life.
When Jesus comes calling for me
The repeated phrase 'when Jesus comes calling for me' emphasizes Zeke's belief that Jesus will call for him someday.
When I die don't grieve and cry Lordy, don't feel sorry for me
Zeke did not want people to grieve or feel sorry for him when he passes away.
Oh what a day, what a mighty fine day When Jesus comes calling for me
Zeke believed that the day he gets called by Jesus would be a good day, a fine day.
I might be in the graveyard walking talking to my family Or I might be plowing in the field down yonder, just old Muley and me
Zeke contemplated that no matter where he will be or what he will be doing, he will be ready for Jesus' call.
Wherever I am, whatever I'm a doing, some sweet day I'll see
Zeke believed that regardless of his current location or activity, he will eventually see Jesus on the sweet day he gets called.
And band of angels in a cloud of glory when Jesus comes calling for me When He comes calling for me
Zeke believed that Jesus would come for him with a group of angels in a grand and glorious way.
When I die just close my eyes And lay me 'neath the willow tree
Zeke asked to be laid to rest beneath a willow tree after he passes away.
I'm just sittin' here watchin' for Jesus, rockin' as my old chair creaks
Zeke spent his time waiting for Jesus, rocking back and forth in his old creaky chair.
Some sweet day I'll fly away when Jesus comes calling for me When He comes calling for me
The repetition emphasizes Zeke's belief that he will be with Jesus on the sweet day he gets called.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
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.