Coat of Many Colors

Nothing defines Dolly Parton as a FOLKSLINGER quite as well as her song Coat of Many Colors. While its memorable tune can be a little difficult to learn — there’s a full step modulation smack in the middle of it — this one is definitely worth the effort to master. People of all ages smile broadly just hearing the title.



RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LYRICS WITH CHORD CHART in G

Here’s the original version… by Dolly Parton herself:

Emmylou Harris brings a little extra sweetness to the table. Is that Dolly on the harmony?

Lynn Morris uses bluegrass instrumentation in her version:




Coat of Many Colors

Written by Dolly Parton

1
Back through the years I go wanderin’ once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags someone gave us
And how my mama put those rags to use
There were rags of many colors and every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat and it was way down in the fall
Mama sewed the rags together, she sewed every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors that I was so proud of

2
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 Mama blessed it with a kiss

First Chorus

My coat of many colors that my mama made for me
Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors my mama made for me

3
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
In my coat of many colors my mama made for me

4
But I couldn’t understand it, for I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love my mama sewed in every stitch
And I told ‘em all the stories Mama told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors was worth more than all their clothes

Second Chorus

But they didn’t understand it though I tried to make them see
That one is truly 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 mama made for me

In my coat of many colors my mama made…. just for me