Dolly Parton

Released: March 7, 1991

Songwriter: Carl Perkins Dolly Parton

Producer: Gary Smith Steve Buckingham

[Verse 1]
When it's family, you forgive them
For they know not what they do
When it's family, you accept them
'Cause you have no choice but to
When it's family, they're a mirror
Of the worst and best in you
And they always put you to the test
And you always try to do your best
And just pray for God to do the rest
When it's family

[Verse 2]
Some are preachers, some are gay
Some are addicts, drunks, and strays
But not a one is turned away when it's family
Some are lucky, others ain't
Some are fighters, others faint
Winners, losers, sinners, saints
It's all family

[Verse 3]
And when it's family, you trust them
And your heart's an open door
When it's family
You tolerate what you'd kill others for
When it's family, you love and hate and take
Then give some more
Somehow you justify mistakes
Try to find some better way
To solve the problems day to day
In the family

[Verse 4]
You take the trouble as it comes
And love 'em more than anyone
Good or bad or indifferent, it's still family
You choose your lovers
You pick your friends
But not the family that you're in, no
They'll be with you 'til the end
'Cause it's family

[Verse 5]
When it's family, you forgive them
For they know not what they do
When it's family
They're a mirror of the worst and best in you
When it's family
When it's family
Let me be all that I should be to the family

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music

Beginning her career as a child performer, Parton issued a few modestly successful singles from 1959 through the mid-1960s, showcasing her distinctive soprano voice. She came to greater prominence in 1967 as a featured performer on singer Porter Wagoner’s weekly television program; their first duet single, a cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind”, was a top-ten hit on the country singles charts, and led to several successful albums before they ended their partnership in 1974. Moving towards mainstream pop music, Parton’s 1977 single “Here You Come Again” was a success on both the country and pop charts. A string of pop-country hits followed into the mid-1980s, the most successful being her 1981 hit 9 to 5" (from the film of the same name), and her 1983 duet with Kenny Rogers “Islands in the Stream”, both of which topped the U.S. pop and country singles charts. A pair of albums recorded with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris were among her later successes. In the late 1990s, Parton returned to classic country/bluegrass with a series of acclaimed recordings

more tracks from the album

Eagle When She Flies

From the album

Eagle When She Flies (1991)

Dolly Parton popular songs

FamilyDolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Eagle When She Flies