Jolene was inspired by a red-haired girl who asked for Dolly Partons autograph at a show. Dolly was struck by the girls beauty and the name Jolene, deciding to write a song about it. The story in the song about a woman pleading with Jolene not to take her man is fictional, but Parton has admitted that the songs tension stems from her own marriage, where a particular bank teller had taken an interest in her husband.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Ooh, I'm begging of you, please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him even though you can
Your beauty is beyond compare, With flaming locks of auburn hair, With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green Your smile is like a breath of spring, Your skin is soft like summer rain, And I cannot compete with you, Jolene And I could easily understand How you could easily take my man But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene And he talks about you in his sleep, There's nothing I can do to keep From crying, when he calls your name, Jolene ... Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him even though you can Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him even though you can
Had to have this talk with you, My happiness depends on you, Whatever you decide to do, Jolene And you could have your choice of men, But I could never love again Cos he's the only one for me, Jolene ... Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Ooh, I'm begging of you, please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him even though you can