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Dolly Parton celebrated her 77th birthday with a release of a new song with a spiritual message on Thursday (January 19). The country music legend tells the story of a dream she has about God, and sharing His reaction as he looks drown from a mountain top and says:
“Don't make me have to come down there./ You've always been my cross to bear./ I’ve let you try my patience as all good Fathers do./ You're on my last nerve, I have had it up to/ here with you./ …Don't make me have to come down there.”
“Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! 🎶 Today, I decided I’m not gonna get, I’m gonna give,” Parton shared in a heartfelt message on Instagram on her birthday. “My new song, ‘Don’t Make Me Have to Come Down There’ is out now.”
“Don’t Make Me Have To Come Down There” captures Parton’s signature cleverness in her lyrics and her country sound, blended with the beloved artist’s longstanding faith. It’s the latest in a lengthy list of unforgettable tracks Parton has released throughout her decades-long career as a global superstar.
Parton, who has delved into her musical talents since her childhood years in East Tennessee, launched her career in the 1960s, releasing iconic songs and collaborations — including with Porter Wagoner and Kenny Rogers — through the decades. Parton released Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection in November 2022. The cross-label anthology reflects on the biggest moments of her career, including duets with Rogers, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, “her delightfully surprising” collaboration with Swedish electro pop dance duo Galantis, featuring Mr. Probz, in addition to her unmatchable solo work.
“Every one of these songs has a special memory behind it for me,” Parton said in a note to her fans when she announced her greatest hits album in September 2022. “I hope that you make some special memories of your own while listening to them. Enjoy the ‘Diamonds & Rhinestones’ album. — Musically yours, Dolly.”
Listen to Parton’s newest song, and relive some of her most iconic releases below.