Album jacket for Hello, I'm Dolly (Monument Records, 1967), © 1967 Monument Record Corp.; rights administered by Sony Music. Scan hosted by the Library of Congress (Dolly Parton and the Roots of Country Music). Discovered via Picryl. All rights reserved by the respective rights holders; used here with acknowledgment of those sources, including Sony. Thank you Sony!
WELCOME TO WWW.DOLLYDEAREST.COM!
this is bernmeister's official Dolly Parton tribute page
acknowledging a true national treasure whose talented contribution to the arts was exceeded only by her grace and generosity
In homage, this city feller salutes country's queen (who also plays well in pop and other genres) with Dolly Dear, Lead Us Home (featuring original lyrics to the tune of “Take Me Home Country Roads”).
At a later date more tributes may be considered whether they are originals, straight covers, or adaptations provided same qualify, including but not limited to full compliance to copyright, etc., issues.
Dolly Dear, Lead Us Home
LYRICS - PRELUDE
{After optional ad lib theatrical prelude where Archangel Gabriel appears and says God grants permission and you may hear Dolly say she got in on the first try!}
click here for prelude lyrics which are free
LYRICS
Now in heaven, Dolly Parton
special lady, pulchritude extraordinaire
Thanks for your visit, all the love and care
We extend to you too, are privileged to share
Dolly dear, lead us home
Show us the way we want to go
Up in heaven, meet us mamma
As we find accord with the Lord
All our memories, begin most fondly
life of music, movies and deserved fame
Let us note, tho, such achievement
pales to all your good works, abundant everywhere
Dolly dear, lead us home
Show us the way we want to go
Up in heaven, meet us mamma
As we find accord with the Lord
I hear your voice, an angel now she calls me
Radio proclaims country's queen every day
Driving down the road I see it – Dollywood!
Not just at the park but everywhere, everywhere
Dolly dear, lead us home
Show us the way we want to go
Up in heaven, meet us mamma
As we find accord, with the Lord
Dolly dear, lead us home
Show us the way we want to go
Up in heaven, meet us mamma
As we find accord, with the Lord
May we find accord, with the Lord
May we find accord, with the Lord
legal disclosures, credits, acknowledgments, etc. ...
Dolly Dear, Lead Us Home
(to the tune of “Take Me Home Country Roads”
which is © copyright John Denver, William Thomas Danoff, Taffy Danoff.) All Rights Reserved.
Full acknowledgment to them for the underlying material including original melody.
Used by permission.
By arrangement with Reservoir, authorized rights rep.
This adaptation, submitted with permission for a derivative copyright for new lyrics and performance.
That derivative copyright is © 2026 by Bernhard Christian Helgason (aka bernmeister) All Rights Reserved.
Originally performed by bernmeister and friends, featuring Rob Taube and Deanna Kirk, vocals.
Find at www.dollydearest.com [dolly dear was unavailable]
To purchase a pdf copy of the above lyrics only, click here.
To purchase an mp3 copy of the above as a musical performance with these lyrics, click here.
About the artist
bernmeister is the official legal alias for Bernhard Christian Helgason, holder of the bernmeister™ trademark, unofficially/informally ‘bern’ for short. I describe myself as a regular guy of at best ordinary talent, except as to creativity, which I channel into academic and entertainment projects. In the former I am author of important theories that could make a real difference – restructuring the international monetary system and creating affordable housing. To learn more about my academic work, and purchase a pdf primer on either, please go to www.bernmeister.com. As to the latter I sideline as a composer-lyricist (a creature of the studio rather than a touring performer); to learn more about my music, and purchase an mp3, please go to www.berntunes.com. To download my biz card, click here.
About Dolly Parton
Dolly remains a universally beloved figure clearly prolific in her musical accomplishments including both as creator [composer-lyricist] and of the highest standard as a performer. To learn more, I would direct anyone to her official sites. While we have lost artists of great stature, and will do so going forward because it is in the natural order of things, in my personal opinion, the last artist of quite this stature that we lost was George Harrison – not too shabby a club to be in Dolly, not too shabby. Rest in peace, with love, but also honor. For as gifted as this musical talent was, she reportedly was more pleased with her efforts to promote literacy – a demonstration of her selflessness.
At an appropriate time when things have settled down, I will endeavor to outreach the Dollywood Foundation and if applicable others in an official capacity who are coordinating further demonstrations to honor her memory by supporting her charitable and educational work. If this site generates sufficient funds I will consider to show support for the Broadway show planned to celebrate Dolly's life and work, to which she was looking forward.
Before we were all shocked to learn Dolly's demise was cancer, it was hoped that perhaps this was just exhaustion. We have seen that previously with other major artists who have responded to some r and r, and unlike others who were known to be smokers or drug users, that did not apply to Parton. It was my hope to notify her that I am planning to outreach to the Thanksgiving Day Parade people and see if they wanted to do either or both of 2 offerings I have, each of which is appropriate for the pre-Yuletide festivities. Mindful that Dolly loved Christmas, I hoped she would do either or both, whether with me as a participant or alternatively. That hope can no longer be realized, but I do extend that invite to other members of the Parton family to consider it, particularly Dolly's goddaughter, Miley. If anyone reading this in a position to do so can share it with them, that would be appreciated. These 2 songs are:
Christmas Day – a dreamer imagines a conversation with Archangel Gabriel about the first Christmas: dynamic vocals include Gabe's grand proclamation (“yes there was a star/one never been so such raised/til on that first Christmas/God's name be thus praised!”); and also a ‘celestial staircase’ (“high in God's heaven...” that is climbed).
And also:
O Come Adeste – this is an eclectic orchestral mashup of O Come All Ye Faithful and its Latin counterpart, Adeste Fidelis which arrangement the copyright office apparently has not seen before in 200+ years.
To obtain a copy of either, please go to www.berntunes.com .
Comments can be left at www.bernmeisterblog.com , which is presently under construction. For now, just email me, bernmeister@bernmeister.com .
Peace and love, of course, and as Dolly wisely encouraged, pray.
bernmeister