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
Wings of a Dove
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The body grows weak
And the spirit grows numb
When these things beset us, God doesn't forget us
He sends us His love
On the wings of a dove
He sends His pure, sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove (wings of a dove)
When Jesus went down to the river that day
Well, he was baptized in the usual way
And when it was done
God blessed His son
He sent him His love
On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove (wings of a dove)
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove (wings of a dove)
In Dolly Parton's song Wings of a Dove, the lyrics speak about the comfort and support that can be found in God's love during times of trouble and hardship. The song suggests that when the body and spirit are weak and numb, and troubles surround us, God sends his pure and sweet love on the wings of a snow-white dove to offer hope and strength. The reference to Jesus' baptism in the river by John the Baptist is also included, suggesting that God blessed Jesus with his love thereafter using the symbol of the dove.
Dolly Parton's choice of the dove as a symbol of God's love is a commonly used Christian symbol, as the dove is mentioned in the Bible several times as representing purity, peace, and the Holy Spirit. The dove is also seen as a sign of God's protection and guidance, as described in the story of Noah's Ark. Moreover, the lyrical theme of seeking hope and comfort in God's love is a common theme in gospel music and is reflective of Parton's religious background and beliefs.
Overall, the song Wings of a Dove is a moving and heartfelt tribute to the power of faith and the comfort that can be found in God's love when facing life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
When troubles surround us, when evils come
During times of trouble and hardships, when we are faced with evil, and negativity seems to surround us.
The body grows weak
Our physical strength diminishes when we are faced with difficulties.
The spirit grows numb
Our emotional and spiritual state is also affected, and we tend to lose faith and hope.
When these things beset us, God doesn't forget us
However, God does not abandon us during our trials and tribulations. He remains by our side.
He sends us His love
God's love and support are always present, to comfort us and give us strength.
On the wings of a snow-white dove
Through a symbol of peace and purity, God's love and blessings are carried to us.
He sends His pure sweet love
God's infinite love is free from any impurities and is gentle and caring.
A sign from above
The appearance of this dove carrying God's love is a sign from the spiritual realm above.
When Jesus went down through the river that day
Referring to the story of Jesus' baptism, where He went through the waters of the Jordan river.
Well, he was baptized in the usual way
Jesus underwent baptism in the way it was normally performed during that time.
And when it was done
Right after the baptism was finished.
God blessed His son
God gave His son, Jesus, His divine blessing.
On the wings of a dove
Again, representing how God's love and blessing was sent upon Jesus through the symbol of a dove.
On the wings of a snow-white dove
Reinforcing the dove's representation of peace, clarity, and purity.
He sends His pure sweet love
God's love for Jesus is genuine and sincere, without any ulterior motives.
A sign from above
A message from the spiritual realm to show that God's love and support is present.
On the wings of a dove
To end the song on this positive note, to remind us that God is always present, sending His pure love to us through peaceful symbols, even during our toughest times.
Lyrics © LARRICK MUSIC CO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Ferguson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mamivanchhawng8098
When troubles surround us, when evils come
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us,
God doesn't forget us He sends us His love
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
When Jesus went down through the river that day
Well, he was baptized in the usual way
And when it was done
God blessed His son
He sent him His love On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
@brentanoschool
Коли нас оточують біда, коли приходить зло
Тіло слабшає,
Та дух німіє.
Коли все це оточує нас, він не забуває про нас.
Він посилає нам свою любов
На крилах білосніжного голуба.(2x
Він посилає свою чисту, солодку любов.
Це знак з небеса.
На крилах голуба.
Коли Ісус спустився до річки в той день
Його охрестили, по звичаю.
І коли це було зроблено,
Бог благословив свого сина
Він послав йому свою любов.
На крилах голуба
На крилах білосніжного голуба.(2x
Він посилає йому свою чисту, солодку любов.
Знак з небеса.
На крилах голуба
На крилах білого голуба.
Він посилає йому свою чисту, солодку любов.
Знак з небеса.
На крилах голуба
@gloriajesionowski3342
A favorite hymn of mine from childhood. I’m 68 and just showed my 19 year old granddaughter this song. It is worth passing on to young people
@carsonfarist8590
Amen hallelujah praise GOD turn to him and he will save and change you!!!! GOD bless all!!! Keep doing for the LORD using your special gift, your work doesn’t go unnoticed amen hallelujah praise GOD!!! He sends his love all the time!!! Is he calling you answer him and have all!!! Thank you so much for this we have to pass it on!!!
@hiddenturtle1
This was one of my dads most favorite songs... We are laying him to rest Wednesday will be playing this for him.. Can't say this enough Cancer sucks and prayers for all the families going though hard times and losses...
@acertiger591
God bless, your dad is:
homefree w/Jesus
4EVERS~Hallelujah's!
I Can hardly wait to See
ALL my family that has passed
before me especially my daughter ❤
@mamivanchhawng8098
When troubles surround us, when evils come
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us,
God doesn't forget us He sends us His love
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
When Jesus went down through the river that day
Well, he was baptized in the usual way
And when it was done
God blessed His son
He sent him His love On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
@rhondaf.4674
Thanks for sharing. God bless you 🙏❤️
@monicapautu3185
Ka duh lutukkk
@gleamers
https://youtu.be/7Sxp_Mp5wO4
@praisechinembiri3137
Amen
@emilychowning3515
I love it, it comes from the heart. Dolly believes the words of the song.