Dolly Parton is known for wrapping the stories of her cherished childhood into the melodies of unforgettable songs. They are her gifts to the world. With the arrival of her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, she has given fans a real holiday treat; twelve songs, including five penned by Dolly herself. The lyrics of one such song, "Comin' Home for Christmas," reveal the heart of what made her family’s two-room log cabin a home.
Dolly reminisces about many of the holiday traditions her family shared. Her father, Robert Lee Parton, and her brothers would go out into the woods to chop down a tree, while the girls were busy inside making ornaments. Dolly fondly recalls the colored rags her mother would tie into beautiful bows to hang on the freshly cut Christmas tree. They even made a star out of cardboard and tinfoil to place atop the precious pine. Each family member played a special part in the creation of their Smoky Mountain Christmas memories. Dolly reflects,
“It was fun, because it gave us all something to do together. We all felt like we contributed to it, and Mama always made everything special too.”
Even after Dolly left home to move to Nashville, she still returned to East Tennessee to spend Christmas with her loved ones. Through the years, Dolly has continued to celebrate with her family during the holidays. She’ll be the first to tell you she loves Christmas so much that she has a Christmas tree in nearly every room of her house!
In “Comin’ Home for Christmas,” Dolly shares with listeners the magic of her Appalachian roots. The memories made in her Tennessee mountain home are treasures to Dolly. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from, and that firm foundation is what she continues to build on today. Dolly’s message serves as a wonderful reminder to embrace your heritage and cherish the people you hold dear.
