Dolly Parton’s soul left her eighty year-old body yesterday after what was described as a brief battle with cancer. I’ve never posed anything on my blog in regards to Dolly Parton before, but now that I know the story behind the song ‘I Will Always Love You’… I feel I must add this story to my blog content.
Putting aside all her amazing accolades—to me this song and its history in her life is what most stands out.
She wrote and performed this beautiful song as a goodbye to Porter Wagoner as she prepared to go it alone with her career and life. Then…she turned down an offer from Colonel Parker to buy the rights to the song for Elvis and retained the rights for the song until she sold them to the people making the movie Body Guard so as we have all been able to enjoy Whitney Houston’s haunting rendition of the song as well.
So for me—this is the part of Dolly Parton’s legacy which stands out most. The point being, that a young woman breaking out on her own career she was smart enough, and confidant enough in herself to say no to Elvis and wait until the perfect performer came forward to sing her beautiful song.
Beyond all the hit songs, the various awards, the money, the philanthropy, the theme park—this is the part of Dolly Parton’s human legacy I’ll remember most. We would never had witnessed this if Dolly Parton had taken the money from Elvis and Colonel Parker.
What a life well lived. A beautiful life in fact. As MJ Yogananda…I would think Dolly Parton’s karma is in a fine place for the next stage of her soul’s journey. I can visualize Dolly trekking over the peaks of the Himalaya’s as I complete this subtle obit of sorts.
Eternal grace and peace. But always love. There has to be love. Because without love there is nothing.
MJ Yogananda.