Dolly Parton - Shattered Image Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Oh, woah
Verse 1
I used to sit for hours as a kid
Dangle my feet from an old flat bridge
Seeing myself in the water below
Shatter my image with the stones I'd throw
Verse 2
I recall a vacant old shack
Down by the edge of the tobacco patch
A child's reflection in a dirty window
Shatter my image with the stones I'd throw
Chorus
A long time gone and a long time ago
When I shattered my image with the stones I'd throw
The world is cruel and people are cold
They shatter my image with the stones they throw
Shatter my image with the stones they throw
Verse 3
I'm far from perfect, but I ain't all bad
It hurts me more than it makes me mad
You gather your stones by stooping so low
And shatter my image with the stones you throw
Bridge
If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones
Don't shatter my image 'til you look at your own
Look at your reflection in your house of glass
Don't open my closet if your own's full of trash
Stay out of my closet if your own's full of trash
Chorus
A long time gone and a long time ago
When I shattered my image with the stones I'd throw
The world is cruel and people are cold
They shatter my image with the stones they throw
Shatter my image with the stones they throw
A long time gone and a long time ago
When I shattered my image with the stones I'd throw
The world is cruel and people are cold
They shatter my image with the stones they throw
Shatter my image with the stones they throw
Post-Chorus
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
Don't shatter my image with the stones you throw
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
Outro
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
You shatter my image with the stones you throw
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
You shatter my image with the stones you throw
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
You shatter my image with the stones you throw
Shatter my image with the stones you throw
You shatter my image with the stones you throw
Video
Shattered Image
Meaning & Inspiration
Dolly Parton's "Shattered Image," released on January 8, 2016, delves into a profound exploration of self-perception and the impact of external judgment, drawing parallels to timeless truths found in Scripture. The song begins with a vivid childhood memory, where the young Dolly would sit by the water and deliberately break her reflection by throwing stones. This act, innocent in its youthful exploration, foreshadows a later, more painful experience. As the song progresses, it transforms from a personal recollection into a powerful statement about how the world, with its often cruel and cold nature, mirrors this act of breaking. The lyrics poignanty capture the feeling of being judged and having one's essence damaged by the "stones" of others' words and actions. This resonates deeply with the biblical warnings against judging others, such as in Matthew 7:1-2, which states, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be condemned, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." The song's bridge directly addresses this, urging introspection before casting stones, echoing the wisdom of Jesus who said, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). Parton's message is not one of self-pity, but a call for empathy and self-awareness, acknowledging her own imperfections while asserting her inherent worth. The repeated refrain underscores the cyclical nature of hurt caused by harsh criticism, but the underlying theme is a hopeful one: the possibility of recognizing the futility of tearing others down when we ourselves are flawed. The song encourages a posture of humility and compassion, aligning with the biblical mandate to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31), implying that we should treat others with the same grace and understanding we would wish for ourselves. "Shattered Image" ultimately serves as an inspiring reminder to approach each other with kindness and to remember that true value lies not in the unblemished image others perceive, but in the unwavering truth of who we are in the eyes of a loving Creator, a concept central to our faith.