Lyrics

Dolly, put that record down
And look me in the eye
I watched you sing those worried words
As fifty years went by
You're still the only queen who wears
The crown inside this hall
But you spent half a century
Thinking my heart wants to roam

I know Jolene was real
And she used to flirt with me
When we worked at the bank
Back in 1973
She had the hair of flaming red
She had the eyes of emerald green
And for fifty years she's lived
In every shadow that you've seen

It's been fifty years of Jolene
Fifty years of doubt
She's a ghost you've lived with
Just to talk yourself about
I know you feared she'd take my name
And leave our world in gray
But Dolly, I'm the man
Who chose to turn and walk away

Maybe back in '73 she had a different plan
To try and steal the heart and soul
Of a devoted man
But I didn't choose the beauty
That you feared would take your place
I chose the light behind your eyes
And the smile upon your face

Now the time has come to leave you
And I've stepped into the light
But don't you worry, darling
I'm still holding you so tight
I was faithful to the finish
Through the laughter and the tears
And I'm waiting at the golden gates
To quiet all your fears

We'll reunite in glory
Where the shadows never grow
And Jolene will be a name
That we no longer need to know
It was always you, Dolly
I'll see you at the gates
I'm waiting for you, my angel