Down from Dover
Dolly Parton
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(Dolly Parton) I know this dress I'm wearing doesn't hide the secret I've tried concealing When he left he promised me he'd be back by the time it was revealing The sun behind a cloud just casts the crawling shadow o'er the fields of clover And time is running out for me, I wish that he would hurry down from Dover He's been gone so long, when he left the snow was deep upon the ground And I have seen a spring and summer pass and now the leaves are turning brown At any time a tiny face will show itself 'cause waiting's almost over But I won't have a name to give it if he doesn't hurry down from Dover, from Dover, from Dover My folks weren't understanding, when they found out they sent me from the home place My daddy said if folks found out he'd be ashamed to ever show his face My mamma said I was a fool, she did not believe it when I told her Momma, everything's gonna be all right 'cause soon he would be coming down from Dover I found a place to stay out on a farm takin' care of that old lady She never asked me nuthin' so I never talked to her about my baby I sent a messgae to my mom with a name and address of Ms. ol' Grover And to make sure he got that information when he came down from Dover I loved him more than anything and I could not refuse him when he needed me He was the only one I'd loved and I just can't believe that he was usin' me He wouldn't leave me here like this, I know it can't be so, it can't be over He wouldn't make me go through this alone, he'll be coming down from Dover My body aches the time is here it's lonely in this place where I'm lying Our baby has been born, but something's wrong, it's too still, I hear no crying I guess in some strange way she knew she'd never have a father's arms to hold her So dying was her way of tellin' me he wasn't coming down from Dover, from Dover, from Dover Down from Dover
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Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Composition"Down from Dover" was written solely by Dolly Parton, displaying her skills as a talented songwriter.
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Album HistoryThe song was first released as part of Dolly Parton's studio album, "The Fairest of them All," in 1970.
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Genre"Down from Dover" is classified under the Country genre, fitting well within Parton's own biography and style.
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Controversial ThemeThe song touches upon controversial subjects like pregnancy out of wedlock and society's judgement, unusual for a country song in the 1970's.
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Banned SongDue to its controversial theme, it was reportedly banned from many country radio stations upon its release.
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Storytelling"Down from Dover" is an excellent example of Dolly's storytelling within her music and is considered a ‘story song’ with the whole narrative of love, betrayal and loss told within its lines.
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Later ReleasesThe song was later released in a version that included additional verses, presented in Parton's 2001 album, "Little Sparrow."
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists, such as Marianne Faithfull and Nancy Sinatra, have covered "Down from Dover."
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Unequalled VocalThe song is known for Dolly’s heart-wrenching, visceral vocal performance.
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Innovative Song Structure"Down from Dover" is unique in its structure, as the revealing of the story’s devastating conclusion within its last line marked a departure from traditional songwriting format.
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Unfamiliar territoryThe song talks about forbidden love and the consequences of it, which was unfamiliar territory in country music at the time.
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Early Career"Down from Dover" is one of the early examples of Dolly Parton's depth and brilliance as a songwriter, as she was not afraid to tackle difficult or taboo subjects.
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Citation
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"Down from Dover Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/944906/Dolly+Parton/Down+from+Dover>.
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