Back through the years I go wanderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
But every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From The Bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
"Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness"
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss
My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
Oh, I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
So with patches on my britches
And holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
And my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
And oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes
But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me
Coat Of Many Colors Video
Coat Of Many Colors Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Coat of Many Colors: A Song of Personal Pride and Resilience
Introduction
Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" is a timeless country classic that tells a heartfelt story of personal pride and resilience. Released in 1971 as the title track of her album, the song stands out as one of Parton's most definitive and autobiographical compositions.
I. A Humble Beginning
The song begins by taking us back in time, back through the years to Parton's youth in the seasons of her upbringing. She recalls a box of rags that someone gave her family, and how her mother ingeniously put those rags to use. The lyrics paint a picture of poverty and lack, with references to not having a coat in the fall. This humble beginning sets the stage for the story that unfolds in the song.
II. The Coat of Many Colors
As her mother sews the rags together, Parton describes the process with love and care. Each piece of fabric, no matter how small, is meticulously sewn together to create a coat of many colors. The coat becomes a symbol of pride and identity for Parton, a testament to her mother's resourcefulness and love. The lyrics emphasize the significance of this coat, highlighting that it was made only from rags but worn with immense pride.
III. The Biblical Connection
The inspiration for the coat comes from a Bible story that Parton's mother shares with her. She recounts the story of Joseph, who was given a coat of many colors by his father Jacob. This biblical reference adds depth and meaning to the song, as it ties in themes of favoritism, love, and the power of an object to symbolize identity and acceptance. Parton's mother blesses the coat with a kiss, further emphasizing its importance.
IV. Lessons Learned and Resilience
The song takes a turn as Parton recalls wearing her coat of many colors to school. Instead of admiration and acceptance, she is met with ridicule and teasing from her classmates. Despite the disappointment, Parton finds her own vindication and resilience. She tries to make her peers understand the love and care that her mother sewed into every stitch, and she shares the lesson that one is only poor if they choose to be. This section of the song highlights the strength of character and resilience that Parton develops through her experiences.
V. The Richness of Life
The final verse of the song reflects on the richness of life, beyond material wealth. Parton acknowledges that her family had no money, but she felt rich as she could be in her coat of many colors. This sentiment speaks to the importance of love, family, and personal pride. Parton's realization that her coat and her mother's love were worth more than any material possessions is a powerful message of gratitude and contentment.
The Meaning and Inspiration of "Coat of Many Colors"
The meaning of "Coat of Many Colors" extends beyond the personal narrative of Dolly Parton's upbringing. It touches on universal themes of pride, resilience, and the power of love and identity. The song is deeply rooted in Parton's own experiences growing up in poverty in rural Tennessee, where her mother's resourcefulness and love were a constant source of inspiration.
Parton has spoken about the significance of this song in her life and how it resonates with others who have faced similar challenges. She has shared that the memory of receiving the coat of many colors was initially painful, but writing the song helped her find healing. The song's message of acceptance and hope has touched the lives of many who have faced adversity and felt marginalized. It serves as a reminder that one's worth is not determined by material possessions but by the love and resilience within.
Analyzing the Biblical Connections
"Coat of Many Colors" draws inspiration from a biblical story, specifically the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. In the Book of Genesis, Joseph, the son of Jacob, is given a special coat by his father, which becomes a symbol of favoritism and causes jealousy among his brothers. This biblical connection adds depth to the song's narrative and reinforces the themes of love, identity, and acceptance.
The story of Joseph resonates with the experiences of Parton in the song. Both Joseph and Parton face ridicule and teasing from their peers due to their distinctive coats. However, they find strength and resilience in their personal identity and the love bestowed upon them by their parents. The biblical reference serves as a reminder of the enduring power of stories and how they can provide solace and inspiration in difficult times.
In a broader biblical context, "Coat of Many Colors" aligns with themes of love, acceptance, and the value of the inner self over material wealth. The Bible encourages believers to find contentment in their circumstances and to prioritize relationships and character over possessions. The song's message reflects these biblical teachings and resonates with the values of humility, gratitude, and resilience found in the Christian faith.
Conclusion
Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" stands as a testament to personal pride, resilience, and the enduring power of love. Through her heartfelt lyrics, Parton shares a deeply personal story that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds. The song's biblical connections add depth and reinforce its themes of acceptance, identity, and the value of the inner self. "Coat of Many Colors" serves as an important reminder to find contentment in life's simple blessings and to embrace our unique identities with pride.
