Lyrics Coat Of Many Colors

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.

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 the 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, 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 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
Although we had no money
Well 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 others laughing
And making fun of me
in my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told em all the story
Momma told me while 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
Now 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
Made just for me
*Let last note ring