Emmylou Harris

Songwriter: Dolly Parton

Producer: Brian Ahern

[Verse 1]
Back through the years I go wondering once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my mamma put these rags to use

[Verse 2]
There were rags of many colors, every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat, it was way down in the fall
Mamma sewed the rags together, sewing ever piece with love
She made my coat of many colors I was so proud of

[Verse 3]
As she sewed she told the story from the Bible she had read
About a coat of many colors Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you much love and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it as mamma blessed it with a kiss

[Bridge 1]
My coat of many colors that my mamma made for me
Made from only rags, but I wore it so proudly
Though we had no money I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors my mamma made for me

[Verse 4]
So with patches on my breaches and holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors well I started off to school
Just to find the children laughing and makin' fun of me
In my coat of many colors my mamma made for me

[Verse 5]
Now I didn't understand it for I felt that I was rich
And I told them of the love my mamma sewed in every stitch
And all the story mamma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors is worth more than all of their clothes

[Bridge 2]
They didn't under stand it and I tried to make them see
That one is only poor only if they choose to be
And though we didn't have much money I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors my mamma made for me
In my coat of many colors my mamma just made for me

Emmylou Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947 to Walter and Eugenia Harris. She attended Garfield Senior High School where she graduated as Valedictorian. She then went to UNCG School of Music, Theatre & Dance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro but dropped out to pursue her musical talents.

Emmylou married Tom Slocum in 1969, but this was a very short marriage as they divorced the following year. It was long enough, however, to produce a daughter, Mika Hallie Slocum, on March 15, 1970. In 1977 she married Brian Ahern and they were married roughly seven years. The couple had one daughter together, Meghann Theresa “M.T” Ahern, born September 9, 1979. In 1985, she married Paul Kennerley who she was married to until 1993.

The 5'5" singer-songwriter is known for songs such as “Beneath Still Waters”, “Together Again”, “Two More Bottles of Wine”.

more tracks from the album

Pieces of the Sky

From the album

Pieces of the Sky (1975)

Emmylou Harris popular songs

Coat Of Many ColorsEmmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris

Pieces of the Sky