J: Jolene by Dolly Parton

 

Welcome AtoZ-ers and other blog friends! This month I'm participating in the AtoZ blogging challenge, and you'll see a post every day (except Sundays) about one of the Songs of my Heart. Today's edition: Jolene by Dolly Parton.  (If my embedded video won't work, you can listen at this link).

 

In the 70s, I mostly listened to whatever music the adults in my life listened to, since I was but a wee lass myself. My parents listened to folk rock and country music at the time, in the era of folks like Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gale, Waylon Jennings, and, of course, Dolly Parton. 

One of the great things about Dolly's songs is their sing-along-ability, if that's a word. She sings in a pretty ordinary vocal range and whether you're an 8 year girl or her 30 year old mother, you can probably at least kind of sing with her. I have fond memories of doing just that, singing along to the radio with my mother to this and many other of Dolly's great songs. 

Lyrics from AtoZ lyrics

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene

He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene

And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene

I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can

Jolene, Jolene

#AtoZChallenge 2025
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Published on April 11, 2025 00:00
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