Lyrics Coat of Many Colors - Live at Sevier County High School, Sevierville, TN - April 1970 - Dolly Parton

I'd like to do a song called
"The Coat of Many Colors"

Back through the years
I go wonderin' 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
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed some 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 that she'd read
'Bout 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
And though we had no money
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 children laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And I couldn't understand it
For I thought I was rich
And I told 'em all the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me as 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
And 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

Thank you, momma, I love you
Thank you