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