Coat of many colors (US Country 4, 1971)     (video)

 

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1. 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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2. There were rags of many colors, every piece was small,

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    and I didn't have a coat, and it was way down in the fall.

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    Momma sewed the rags together, sewin’ every piece with love,

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    she made my coat of many colors that I was so proud of.

 

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3. As she sewed, she told a story from the bible, she had read

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    about a coat of many colors Joseph wore and then she said,

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    Perhaps this coat will bring good luck and happiness !

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    And I just couldn't wait to wear it, and momma blessed it with a kiss.

 

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4. My coat of many colors that my momma made for me,

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    made only from rags, but I wore it so proudly.

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    Although we had no money, well, I was rich as I could be

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    in my coat of many colors my momma made for me.

 

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5. So with patches on my britches and holes in both my shoes

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    in my coat of many colors I hurried off to school.

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    Just to find the others laughing and making fun of me

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    in my coat of many colors my momma made for me.

 

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6. And, oh, I couldn't understand it for I felt I was rich,

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    and I told them of the love my momma sewed in every stitch.

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    And I told ‘em of the story Momma told me while she sewed

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    and how my coat of many colors

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    was worth more than all their clothes.

 

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7. But they didn't understand it and I tried to make them see

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    that one is only poor only if they choose to be.

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    Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be

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    in my coat of many colors my momma made for me,

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    made just for me.

 

 

(orig. = capo 3rd)    (Dolly Parton)