I must admit that finding television shows that are of interest to me seems more difficult as I get older. Not that I’m knocking television these days, but programming just doesn’t seem to be what it used to be 40 years ago.

So, it should come as no surprise that I spend much of my leisure time listening to old and new music alike through the comfort of my ear buds and my old recliner. I will say this – while I might not find the offerings on the old TV to my liking, I do love the many digital musical services that carry every genre imaginable, as well as a few I’ve never heard of.

In perusing this digital musical world recently, I happened upon one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs, “Coat of Many Colors.” There aren’t too many Dolly songs I don’t like. She is such a talent. But I’m not sure most folks realize her greatest talent may be her ability to write.

Dolly has been such a gifted songwriter through the years, and her ability to move those words into such beautiful and memorable melodies is a gift many performers simply do not have.

In listening closely to the words of this one song I have heard a million times before, I found a story I only thought I knew. As is the case with most songwriters I know, they write of things familiar to them or about events that happened to them at some point in their lives.

That is the case for Dolly in many of her songs, including this beautiful tribute to the love her mother had for her family. But for so long, I thought the song was about a piece of clothing.

This song was released in 1971 on an album with the same name. It describes Dolly’s mother sewing together a box of rags given to her, to make a coat for Dolly. The songwriter explained how her mother told the story from the Bible, of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors (described in the Book of Genesis) while she sewed the rags together, and how rich Dolly felt to have such a coat.

Sadly, her schoolmates did not see the same value in her new garment and made fun of her when she wore it to school. But Dolly insisted that her coat was worth more than all their clothes because of the love her mother put into every stitch.

In listening more closely to these words, I could sense that love and the pride she felt in wearing that magnificent coat.

There are so many lessons we could learn today from this beautiful song, and the way Dolly sewed her words together in this simple and elegant melody makes it one of my favorites – certainly, one that will leave me somewhat emotional after taking the time to listen more closely.

Thank you, Dolly, for a song that will forever teach us a valuable lesson.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of music. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.