COAT OF MANY COLORS
Writer Dolly Parton


Back through the years I go wandering once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my mama put those rags to use
There were rags of many colors and every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat and it was way down in the fall
Mama sewed the rags together sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors that I was so proud of
When she sewed she told a story from the Bible she had read
'Bout a coat of many colors Joseph wore again
she said Perhaps this coat will bring you good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it Mama blessed it with a kiss
A coat of many colors that my mama made for me
Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly
I know we had no money but I was rich as I could be
With my coat of many colors that my mama made for me
Now with patches in my britches and holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughin' and makin' fun of me
In my coat of many colors my mama made for me
Now I did not understand it for I felt almost rich
And I told them of the love my mama sewed in every stitch
Then I told them all the stories mama told me while she sewed
How my coat of many colors was worth more than all their clothes
They did not understand it though I tried to make them see
That one is only poor if they choose to be
I know we had no money but I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors my mama made for me