Coat of Many Colors was inspired by Dolly Partons own childhood. It tells the story of a coat her mother made her from rags, and although they were poor, Dolly felt rich because of the love her mother put into making the coat. The lyrics reflect themes of love, pride, and gratitude despite poverty.
Key: G
Introduction:
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Back through the years I go wonderin once again
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Back to the seasons of my youth
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I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
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And how my momma put the rags to use
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There were rags of many colors
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Every piece was small And I didn't have a coat
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And it was way down in the fall
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Momma sewed the rags together
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Sewin every piece with love
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She made my coat of many colors
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That I was so proud of
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As she sewed, she told a story
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From the bible, she had read About a coat of many colors
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Joseph wore and then she said
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Perhaps this coat will bring you
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Good luck and happiness
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And I just couldn't wait to wear it
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And momma blessed it with a kiss
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My coat of many colors
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That my momma made for me
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Made only from rags
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D
But I wore it so proudly
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Although we had no money
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Well I was rich as I could be
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In my coat of many colors
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My momma made for me
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So with patches on my britches
A
and holes in both my shoes In my coat of many colors