Original subtitles

The Great Smoky Mountains.

My mountains. My home.

And even though I've been blessed

to travel all over the world, I always seem

to come right back here to this place I still call home.

Oh, don't you think my home looks beautiful?

I am so proud of my theme park here

in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.

It was a dream come true for me.

Of course, I have so many memories

of growing up here.

Not far from here, just over the hill

along with my brothers and sisters

Willadeene, David, Denver, Bobby, Stella, Cassie

Randy, Floyd, Frieda, and Rachel.

Well, it was good times for us. Christmas was always special.

We didn't have anything that money could buy.

We made our own toys. We used to exchange things.

And we'd go out into the forest with daddy

to cut down a tree which was always great.

And we'd kind of decorate it our own way

so it was always very special.

And of course, this Christmas

I would love to give a gift to you.

My favorite song that I've ever written

tells a true story from my childhood

about a little coat that my mama made for me.

And of course, she called it

"My Coat of Many Colors"

♪ Back through the years

♪ I go wonderin' once again

♪ Back to the seasons of my youth

♪ And I recall a box of rags

♪ That someone gave us

♪ And how my mama put the rags to use

♪ There were rags of many colors

♪ And every piece was small I didn't have a coat.. ♪

Avie Lee!

You there, honey?

Just wanted to drop off this box of rags on my way to church.

Oh, hi, Miss Bass.

It's just some store clippings

donations and such.

I thought you might want to make a quilt or something.

Oh, Miss Bass, thank you so much.

But you didn't have to drop 'em off.

Lee could've gone by and picked 'em up.

Y'all save it for the church. They're singing today.

Oh! Avie Lee Parton, you sure have your hands full.

Yes, ma'am.

'Willadeene, help me with the young'uns. We gonna be late'

Let's go, Partons.

Lord, it's me again, Dolly.

Lord, you gave me daddy's colors

and mama's face..

...but I'm just plain ol' plain.

You know, I'd rather be plain ugly than just plain.

Then again, I'd rather be dead than ugly.

So thank you, Lord

and forgive the complaint.

Mama, you look purty.

Oh, no! I got a solo!

My daddy took our family to church every Sunday.

Mama made sure of that.

But even the worst drought we'd ever seen

couldn't compel my daddy to take a step inside.

♪ And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair

♪ When the saved of earth shall gather...

Hey, daddy.

♪ When the roll is called up yonder

♪ And the roll

♪ Is called up yonder

♪ When the roll

♪ Is called up yonder-r-r

♪ When the roll is called up yonder

♪ I'll be the-e-ere

She's dead.

You look like a harlot, Dolly Rebecca!

What was you thinkin'?

That I was fixin' up for church.

Ain't you always saying, "Give your best to Jesus?"

Your granddaddy is up there in that pulpit

trying to save souls for Jesus

and you think a painted face is what I had in mind.

I reckon not.

Since you about rubbed my face clean off...

Avie Lee, what are you and Lee teaching these kids?

Why, we're teaching them to love Jesus

best way they know how, preacher.

Dolly Parton, aren't you at all

interested in going to heaven?

Why, sure I am, grandpa.

But do I have to look like hell to get there?

No, ma'am. Oh, no supper for you.

- Mom is a monster.. - I'm gonna tear your tail up.

Easy, mama, easy, mama, easy.

Don't you dare laugh?

I used to be faster than her.

Ooh, I got me a fire-breathing

Bible-beatin', holy-rollin' little preacher's daughter.

Come.

Mmm..

I knowed you wouldn't stay mad at me, mama.

Daddy says you may be brown-headed

but you was born with a red-headed temper.

Your daddy says a lot of things he ought not to.

Yeah, like Grandpa Jake ain't never gonna like him

on account of he stole you away from him

when you was 15 numplucked.

And he ain't never gonna be a church-going man.

Your daddy goes to church most every Sunday.

Yeah, but Aunt Estelle says that you said that he don't go inside

so it don't really count.

Big ears, do you repeat everything you hear?

No, I do not.

I ain't never told you about daddy going to see

that strange staring girl's daddy.

- Who? - You've seen her, mama.

Skinny girl..

...big eyes..

...stare a hole right through you with those spooky eyes.

Dolly, what you doing up?

You were sent straight to bed with no supper.

You talking about Judy.

Judy Ogle, the moonshiner's daughter.

I don't know what she's talking about, Avie Lee.

I got no business with the Ogles.

Why, sure you do, daddy.

Remember, you were sayin'

This is personal business

and don't tell mama.

And I didn't.

Now, the reason I went out to Ogle's place

was to get a little liniment to rub on old Beulah's leg

'cause she's plum stove up.

- Is that so? - Hmm.

Is that why you got some of Beulah's liniment

hid up in the barn?

Casey, you get stove up..

...with all that wild berry pickin' you've been doing.

You know, Dolly, she thinks this baby's

gonna change her whole world.

Like they're heart twins or something.

She's more excited about this than she's

been about anything in her whole life.

Well, she ain't lived that long.

A minute to Dolly is like a lifetime

to everybody else.

And you should have seen the look on daddy's face today

when Dolly walked in that church

looking in front of the whole world

like a hoochie-coochie girl.

- We's having a party ain't we? - Oh!

Hey, baby.

Y'all better get back in bed right this minute!

- Ooh. - You got school tomorrow.

- You ain't the mom, Willadeene. - No, she ain't.

She's still my little girl, ain't she, mama?

"Mama, sing us a song.'

♪ Come on down

♪ Have a look around

♪ Rich folks livin' in a poor folks town

♪ We got no money but we're rich in love..

My mama's rock-solid faith was the heart of our family.

But we had no idea how much her faith

would be tested that summer

and how it would affect us all.

In our home, the older kids were responsible

for helping mama with the new babies.

It was my turn to take care of the next one

and I just couldn't wait.

Ain't this the purtiest baby bed you ever seen?

My baby's gonna sleep in style.

And what do you know about style?

I know it when I see it.

And for sure, this is style.

I reckon you thought your painted-up face

was style too, huh?

I like being pretty.

Starts on the inside, Dolly Rebecca.

I know that, mama.

Denver says I'm as mean as the devil on the inside.

That's why I have to try so hard

to paint some pretty on the outside.

You still here?

You better run..

I have to carry their stuff too?

Til those two learn not to fight like cats and dogs,

you're their keeper when they leave this house.

Thanks, Willadeene.

It's like trying to control lightnin.

Mama and daddy taught us kids the golden rule.

Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.

The bullying Sanders clan

obviously had never learned that lesson.

They were mean to the core.

Not now, Rudy!

I'm not gonna miss this time.

Let me in, you one-legged polecat!

Open up!

Dadgummit, Judy Ogle.

I thought you was a ghost.

I went wet my pants.

You mean, "Wet your pants,” don't you?

Good morning, Miss Moody.

- Good morning, Miss Moody. - Good mornin.

Come on in.

- Morning, Miss Moody. - Good morning, Stella.

Come on in, Bobby.

Sit down, David.

Now, class, even though you are hardly past

the cave drawing stage in your artistic development

I had planned a very important and crucial

end-of-the-year art project.

No, no, no.

There is no reason for celebration.

It's not going to happen.

Aww..

Why?

Because there is a thief..

...among us.

Yes, a thief.

Takes a low person to steal

from a school as poor as ours.

Maybe it wasn't a thief. Maybe it was...

- Spit it out, fool! - Rudy..

Hush your mouth, Rudy Sanders

or my brothers will shut it for ya.

Is that right? You Parton pussycats gonna whup up on us?

You bet your bottom drawer they are!

And it'll take Doc Comers 20 years

to paste your backsides back together.

While you do have a colorful way with words, Miss Dolly..

Why, thank you, Miss Moody, so do you.

...you must contain your animal spirits

before we have World War III in here.

Who's she callin' an animal?

Oh, don't you worry about that, Miss Moody.

My brother says you only have to lift a Sander's shirt

to see they have a yellow belly.

Look yellow to you, huh?

Sit down, Rudy.

No..

...but it's about to!

Dolly!

Huh?

Oh.

What are you looking at, Judy Ogle?

This is none of your business.

If you hadn't been slippin' around

like some kind of ghost

none of this would've happened!

It's alright, Dolly.

- It's over now. - It ain't over!

By the time I'm done, everybody else

in this mountain's gonna know

Dolly Parton's a no-count

big-mouth, lying thief

that ain't never going to amount to nothing!

Miss Moody said Dolly stole the paints.

Said she hid 'em in her pants.

Who knew about Dolly stealing?

I didn't steal them paints!

Then who did?

Look, if you bunch don't fess up, I'mma punish all of you.

You can't!

Cause they didn't know nothing

'cause I didn't steal!

Then how'd you do all this? Huh?

- With your bare fingers? - Shoot no.

I did it with spit and them paints

that I borrowed.

I tried to put it back, but Judy Ogle

was there staring me down. And I missed my chance.

There's one thing worse than a thief, and that's a liar.

I'm ashamed of you, Dolly.

We may be poor, but we ain't thieves.

Let me see.

Mmm.

I didn't steal, mama.

I know, baby.

Daddy don't.

It's okay. Come on.

♪ They didn't understand it

♪ And I tried to make them see

♪ One is only poor

♪ Only if they choose to be ♪

I just kept lookin' at that beautiful baby bed

and I thought... this baby can't just lay under some old rag.

No. It needs a quilt as fl... I... Ine as its bed.

I don't care how many times Miss Meanie Moody whacks me

or those awful Sanders call me names.

I don't regret borrowing those paints one bhit.

Whoo!

That is the biggest turkey you ever shot.

Well, that's 'cause I didn't.

It was la yin' on the porch with this note

like some kind of Indian offerin'.

Who's it from, daddy?

Just says that you tried

to put the paints back and

got whipped ‘cause you weren't believed.

Is that the story?

Yessum, that's how it happened.

But you borrowed those paints without askin'.

- What do you call that? - Sneaky.

'Cause I knew if I asked for those paints and she said no

then I would hate her forever

for being the meanest, most stingiest teacher

that was ever born.

And then I'd be tempted to just take 'em

which would be stealing.

And then my soul would be damned forever

to eternal hellfire.

So really I was just being the best Christian

I could be in the situation.

See what I mean, daddy?

Yeah, I see if you had a hankering for catfishing

you could talk Saint Peter himself into coming down

to fish on Friday.

This is, if you even make it to the pearly gates

which ain't no done deal yet.

So let's let it be known, Dolly, from here on out

that the Partons aren't borrowers either.

Deal?

Deal.

Thank you, daddy.

- Ha ha ha! - Love you, girl.

Ooh, let's dance!

can't dance ‘cause of my belly

Heavenly Father, we just thank you so much, Lord

for always taking care of us

and givin' us everything we need.

Mostly, Lord, I wanna thank you for all these children

that are so special a gift to me and their daddy.

For Willadeene, who's dependable

and faithful and my special angel.

For David, strong and dependable

just like his daddy.

For Denver, who's so honest

and never tells a lie, even if it behooves him to do so.

For little Bobby, who's got a heart

as big as these mountains.

For our Stella who's quick, smart and sees everything

that so many don't.

And our sweet Cassie, who's sweet and beautiful

inside and out.

And of course, little Randy, who always keeps us laughing.

Especially, Lord, I wanna thank you for my husband

who works so hard to feed this family.

A-a-an-n-nd..

Dolly!

Oh, yes, and for our little songbird

who carries the hopes and dreams

of this family in her heart!

And little Larry.

Yes, Lord, and we thank you for this little one

for little Larry, if he is half the blessin'

that Dolly believes him to be

then we are twice blessed, Lord.

Thank you for this bounty and the hands that delivered it.

And please, Lord, just bring the rain so that we can...

Well, amen. Let's eat.

- Who's Larry? - My baby.

My boyfriend.

God sees everything, don't he, mama?

When I sing..

...I know he's watching me.

I feel it.

That's how I know I'm gonna be a big star one day.

'Cause if you're knocking on God's attention..

...I can hold the worlds.

You mean you really wanna leave your home

and go off where you don't know nobody?

I couldn't do that.

I ain't leavin' nobody.

I'm taking y'all with me.

And it ain't a world full of strangers, mama.

I feel like it's a world full of friends

I just ain't met yet.

I do love how you think, Dolly.

You're the only one.

Everybody else makes fun of me.

Thinks I'm just stuck on myself.

They say, The whole family can sing

which they can.

Then what makes me so special?

Your singin'..

...it pours out of you like a bucket filled with holes.

It's a gift, from Him that made you.

If you feel God speaking directly into your heart

you know it right here.

And what you know... can't nobody take from you.

Come over here and sing for mama, sweet girl.

♪ I close my eyes I can see your sweet smile

♪ I can count all your fingers and toes

♪ I can imagine the scent of your skin

♪ I can't wait to see you all grown

♪ Can't wait to touch you

♪ To hold you to rock you

♪ To know you'll forever be mine

♪ Words can't describe

♪ What I feel inside... ♪

Dolly, this ain't no place for you.

Go outside with the other kids so mom can have some peace.

- But I... - This ain't about you!

Them young'uns will need you whether you feel like it or not!

Now you ready to be a mama, now's your chance to prove it!

Uh! I ain't never been as mean a mama as you, Willadeene!

♪ Flowers bloom on yonder hill

♪ You are my promise

♪ My gift from above

♪ My heart runneth over

♪ From all of this love

♪ Oh how can this be true

♪ They say that God took you

♪ They say that he needed you more

♪ Said I shouldn't question

♪ That God is perfection

♪ But me I'm not really so sure

♪ My heart is broken

♪ My hurt can't be spoken

♪ Surely God cares how I feel

♪ I'm gonna miss you

♪ But I'll be here with you

♪ On this spot they call

♪ Angel Hill

♪ My angel I love you

♪ I have and I will

♪ For as long as the flowers

♪ Bloom on Angel Hill

♪ Now you sleep beneath them

♪ Your little heart still

♪ And I'll meet you in heaven

♪ If it be God's will

♪ My angel

♪ My angel

♪ I'll meet you in heaven

♪ I can wait until

The Bible says..

...that He will turn all things to good

for those that love him.

Did I not love him enough?

Is it because there's unbelief in our home?

How can I bear it?

I don't know why this, honey, I...I I don't..

But I do know that God is not punishing you.

It's all done, Avie Lee, Sure will be nice up there.

Kids is quiet.

- You need anything? - She needs some rest, Lee.

I know, preacher, that's why I think

it's time company left.

Can we pray together before I go?

No! I'd rather not.

Thank you, daddy.

- I love you. - I love you too, baby.

How can he think I'd be willing to hit my knees

after what happened today?

For God's sake, Lee, if not now, when?

I'm sorry.

I just feel like my nerves are open outside of my body.

I just need some time.

Alone.

She is taking this hard.

Lee's been down in the living room.

My daughter has done that more often.

One on her and one in her.

- Daddy! - Daddy!

Well..

...isn't it what everybody says when they think'

we ain't listening?

We just gonna pretend that Avie Lee ain't having these

babies one after the other after the other.

Now, no break at all?

My little girl is just plum wore out and heart broke.

What kind of a man does that?

Alright, alright.

Let's go!

Don't be scared.

I ain't leaving you in the dark.

Ever.

Grieving in a child is a powerful thing.

When that little baby died, the one I had called mine

before I could ever see him or him see me

and see how much I loved him

well, I thought I just might die too from the grief.

I had never felt more alone.

Grieving for Larry and my anger at God

seemed to take up all the space I had inside me.

Summer turned to fall and school started back again.

Daddy pulled the boys out of school

to help him in the tobacco field.

Mama didn't say a word.

I hated school even more without David and Denver there.

The distance between mama and daddy grew

and her depression deepened.

Causing her to stay still.

Caught between two worlds.

Mama's absence from our lives created an emptiness

that grief rushed in to fill..

...for everybody.

Especially me.

Mama..

...you wanna run this out to daddy in the barn?

He hasn't eaten.

And you haven't seen him in days.

Just get one of the boys to do it.

Mama, the boys are out there with him.

They work with daddy now, remember?

He would have been born about now.

Sometimes...

...I still feel him inside me.

Instead of up there.

And if I sit very still...

...can see his little spirit moving up on the hill.

That ain't no spirit, mama.

That's just Dolly.

Dolly goes up on Angel Hill.

No.

Dolly's afraid of the dark.

Where's ours?

I'm hungry enough to eat the north end of southbound cow.

On the stove, go get it.

- Don't wake mama. - Mama's already in bed?

Mama's always in bed.

Or staring out the window.

Don't you see what's happenin', daddy?

Oh, she's just going through something, Willadeene.

We never lost a little one, but she'll get over it.

When? She ain't cookin', let alone eatin'.

She don't clean, she don't fool with the kids.

Have you ever seen her sit in a chair without needle

in her hand or some kind of work?

Mama ain't sewing, daddy.

- Dolly ain't singin'. - Dolly's always singin'.

Dolly ain't sung a note since the day the baby died.

Look, I'm doing the best I can

but I ain't mama, and I never will be.

If you don't get her up, this family's gonna fall apart.

No, it ain't.

He's gone, Avie Lee, but Dolly's still here.

She needs you.

Get up. Come on!

Your songbird don't sing no more.

She lost her voice.

And you're the only one that can help her find it.

I know we're not living like a man and wife

right now, Avie Lee, but we got eight kids.

I can't raise them without you.

♪ For the father waits over the way

Let's let mama rest tonight.

♪ To prepare us

♪ A dwelling place

♪ In the sweet

♪ By and by

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore

♪ In that sweet by and by

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

Why are you sewing on that blanket?

Baby's gone.

The truth is he was never mine

and he was never yours.

You never believed he was comin'?

I prayed he would.

But I had visions that said different.

Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't wanna take your hope away.

And because I hoped too.

If I'd known it..

...I wouldn't be hurtin' so much right now.

- I wouldn't... - You wouldn't have what?

You wouldn't have loved him?

Don't you ever wish you hadn't loved, baby.

There is nothing on this Earth more powerful than love.

It's stronger than death, don't you know that?

I know about Jesus coming back from the dead and all that, mama

but what's that got to do with little Larry?

Do you think little Larry's coming back?

- That's what that's for? - We'll see little Larry again.

But not here. Now this is for you.

You're making me a baby blanket?

I'm making you a coat.

A coat that nobody on Earth has ever worn.

A new coat just for me?

I mean, unless you don't want it. Stella needs a new coat.

Stella can just wait. She ain't getting my new coat.

What's she doing?

How do you cheat on a writing test?

Miss Parton, front and center.

What did I do?

Not you, sweet Stella Mae. You.

Since you were so interested in talking during your essay test

you can be the first one to read yours aloud.

Alright, now, Dolly

please tell us who your favorite famous person is

and why you admire them?

Why, that's easy, Miss Moody.

It's Miss Dolly Parton, rising star of the Grand Ole Opry.

She was born on a cold winter's night

in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.

She was singing before she could talk.

Doc Thomas swore she came out screaming in the key of "E."

Yeah, I bet.

Hey, this is my paper, and I can write what I want.

You compelled me, Miss Moody

but I get to say my piece, don't I?

Tell me more about this star, Miss Dolly Parton.

Well, I.. She was always writin' about music

not just her people, no

but by the very mountains themselves.

What do you mean by that?

I mean ever since I was a baby I always heard it.

The music, mountains make music that sound like angels singin'

or devils fightin', depending on the weather and their mood.

She's had a heavenly choir in her ever since.

And then Miss Moody wrote on my paper

Miss Dolly Parton, I think you got some real potent tales

for expressing yourself in writin.

And what exactly do you think

she means by that?

I have no idea. But I know it's good.

I think she meant potential.

Dolly has potential as a writer.

High praise coming from Miss Talulah Moody.

She's a college girl, you know?

She's the smartest woman I know.

Since when?

Since she's seen my talent.

Here, Dolly, try this on, baby.

I need to see if it's long enough.

Miss Moody told me to keep working on my paper

and read it to the class next week.

Can you have my coat done by then, mama?

I gotta wear it for my readin'.

Well, I'm gonna need something

extra special for the lining.

I brought this for your coat, Dolly.

- Oh! - It's from my wedding dress.

Oh, thank you, Aunt Estelle.

- It matches my eyes. - I know.

I got some old dirty drawers you could have, Dolly.

Nice color brown that matches the dirt behind your ears.

As mama worked on that coat

you could start to feel the life

flowing back in our little mountain home.

Something dark had tried to steal our joy

but with every color, every stitch that mama

sewed on that coat, the darkness receded

and the light flooded in.

Mama, tell us a story of Joseph and those mean brothers again.

Okay, well now..

Joseph was a beautiful boy.

So loved by his father and even more loved by God.

But his 12 older brothers didn't like him always talking

about his dreams of them kowtowing to him.

Yeah, so, they dug a hole so deep that they couldn't hear

his bragging and his yapping, and they threw him in.

Yeah, but they ended up bowing down to him all the same.

Didn't they, Denver?

He might've started out in a hole, but he ended up a king.

So Joseph saved his people.

And from those people came Jesus.

And He saved us all.

Alright, I think it is done.

Try it on, let's see if it fits.

- Help her, Willadeene. - Okay, you ready?

- Go on. - Okay.

Okay.

Give me your arm.

Okay.

- How does it look? - It looks perfect.

I love my coat!

♪ But I was rich as I could be

♪ In my coat of many colors

♪ Mama made for me

♪ 'Cause she made it just for me ♪

Mama, what's wrong?

I had a dream last night.

Something's comin'.

Dark and devourin'.

Where is she?

Here she comes.

Ooh!

It looks like she slipped in it.

- No, it doesn't. - It looks right as rain.

And how about you? You ready to read your paper today?

I'm ready to tell the world all about

me and my destiny and how God gave me the gift...

- Everybody, get in the fields. - No, no, no, we can't, daddy.

- Not today. - This can't wait, Dolly.

We got hornworms. They're eating through the lugs.

If they get to the upper leaves, we're done for.

Denver, David, y'all go get some buckets at the barn.

Willadeene, Bobby, go get the water jug. Hurry, babies.

But my coat? I'm doing my readin' today.

Miss Moody says I might be able to enter a contest and I..

I just can't pluck bugs, not today.

Just go on, Dolly.

Stella, you go with her. Bless you, baby.

You can tell mama all about it when you get home, okay.

Thank you, mama. Oh, thank you.

- I love you. - Come on, Stella.

♪ I was rich as I could be

♪ In my coat of many colors

Hey, wait up.

I don't want to get to school same time as her.

Why not?

They say in the magazines.

You wanna make a grand entrance.

Just go on up and take Judy Ogle with ya.

Come on, Judy.

♪ So with patches on my britches

♪ Holes in both my shoes

♪ In my coat of many colors

Miss Moody, you gotta see this.

♪ I hurried off to school

♪ Just to find the others laughing

♪ And making fun of me

♪ In my coat of many colors

♪ Mama made for me

So this is your fancy coat?

- Bunch of rags sewn together. - Rudy, stop it.

My mama made this coat for me with her own hands

and it's beautiful, like Joseph wore in the Bible.

- And he was royal. - Yeah, you're royal too.

A royal fool, might as well wear garbage and call it gold.

Rudy, that's enough. I'm ashamed of you.

Come on, darlin'. Let's go.

Let's go.

Go on in. Now stay out a minute.

Alright, Dolly, we're just gonna get that coat right off...

I'm keeping it on, Miss Moody.

It will be less distracting

if we just put it in the closet for now.

Believe me, Miss Moody, it'd be more distracting off.

I don't have anything on underneath.

You are not wearing a shirt or anything

underneath your coat?

My only shirt was dirty and so is my dress.

I never planned on takin' off my coat... ever.

Don't you worry about a thing.

I'll just run downtown and pick up somethin' quick

from Mrs. Bass.

But what about my readin', Miss Moody?

What about the contest?

Can I still do it?

Of course, you can, Dolly.

If you're ready, we'll do it right after lunch.

It ain't funny.

It's pretty funny, Willadeene.

Get to pickin' if you wanna eat this winter.

- Oh, I got a big one. - Oh, man, that's a big one.

- Hey there, daddy. - "Here's another one.

Hey, honey.

He works day and night.

No rain, so the leaves are burnin' off

before they're ready and now this.

It's like we can"t keep nothin' alive.

David, get Randy, he's got a hornworm.

Yes, mama.

Come on, baby Randy.

Lord, that young'un will put anything in his mouth.

Well, I reckon a hornworm's better for him than the dirt.

Got more protein.

How are things at home, honey?

Had you and Lee have some kinda fallin' out or somethin'?

Me and Lee don't have a problem.

Now, Avie, I know from experience

that in troubled times, folks can..

Well, they get to fightin' and then

We didn't have a fight. We had a death.

I love you, daddy, but you don't know beans about me and Lee.

I know that two or three nights apart

ain't gonna break a marriage.

But now, too much time, that can, that can make some..

...dangerous territory.

And the devil will get in there

and he will start sowing seeds of doubt

and before you know it, that marriage is broke.

You think Lee's gonna leave me?

Do you?

I don't know.

After the baby died, I pushed him away.

He just ain't found his way back yet.

Well, then you need to shine a light.

You need to help that boy. He ain't like us, honey.

He don't have the Lord to follow.

You're about as close to that as he gets.

And that can be a tough road home.

But it's yourn.

Dolly, come outside.

Got nobody to play with or talk to.

Just Judy.

That'd be like playing with your shadow.

Here I am doin' everythin' to get ready for my readin'

and you're botherin' me about playin'?

How could you be so selfish, Stella?

You old sour pickle, I'm leavin' to go help daddy.

How's that for selfish?

I told you get on out of here.

We wanna see your famous coat.

You-you've seen it.

And Miss Moody will be back from town any minute, so just get...

Miss Moody ain't here now, so she can't help ya.

Gloria kinda likes your coat. Why don't ya let her try it on?

- Don't you touch my coat. - Come on, Dolly.

Let Gloria try on your ugly coat.

It's you who's ugly, I don't care what you say.

It is beautiful.

You think you're better than us?

You think you can sing and you think

you're gonna be some big star some day?

All you do is brag.

It ain't braggin' if it's true.

You think you're the only special?

Well, I'm special too.

Grab a hold of her and get that coat off.

I can't look at it another minute.

No, stop!

Let go of me! Put me down!

How you gonna like this. Get in there.

No, give me my coat!

Let me out!

I'm afraid of the dark.

What you gonna do?

Oow!

Quit it.

Ow! Ow!

They gone?

You're better than them.

So are you.

Don't go.

I don't want to be alone.

You ain't alone.

They tore up your paper.

I'm sorry. I tried to save it.

They can't touch where that come from.

I can't believe you took on that crazy bunch.

It's hard to get your lips wet.

You'll get used to it.

I'm just so mad I could spit!

Don't cry.

They ain't worth it.

I ain't cryin' about them.

Come on.

Oh, here she comes.

She'll have a big tale about being the new star of the class

and... hey, who's that with her?

Judy Ogle, and something's wrong.

I'll say! She don't even like Judy Ogle.

How could you, mama?

How can you tell me this coat was beautiful

and special and fad?

When it's stupid and gaudy and made out of rags.

It's not like Joseph's.

It's just a cheap hand-me-down like everything else we have.

What happened? You loved it...

I wanted everybody to love it and they hated it

'cause you lied.

It ain't beautiful or royal. It's ugly.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

No, mama, don't you do that!

Don't you start talkin' the Bible at me!

This happened to me today! This is real.

So is the Almighty, Dolly.

Well, he's big enough to take that, ain't he?

He takes everything, don't he?

He took Larry.

He took my joy.

And he made a fool out of me.

God didn't do that, Dolly.

No, mama, you did.

That was real brave what you did today for Dolly.

We thank you.

I heard y'all had the hornworms.

- We did. - We got 'em.

Sorry. I mean, not sorry you got 'em

just sorry y'all got 'em in the first place.

You see, hornworms is...

What you're eating right now.

Well..

...I'm partial to hornworms.

Judy.

Hey, Dolly, why's your coat in the rag box?

'Cause I ain't wearin' it again.

Of course, you're wearin' it again, your mama about

killed herself making you this coat.

- You're wearin' it tomorrow. - No, I ain't!

There's more to the story, Lee.

No, there ain't. There is only one story... you.

You sittin' here day and night, ruinin' your eyes

hurtin' your back tr yin' to make something special for Dolly.

And all she needs to be is grateful for it.

I wouldn't wear that coat again

if I was butt naked and it was 30 below.

And I ain't never goin' back to that school. Never!

Lee.

If you care about me, how I think and feel

just sit and eat.

Don't you be lookin' at me!

You should be ashamed to show your face!

Everybody says God loves him!

But that's a lie!

You don't love me.

You wouldn't have killed my baby if you loved me.

He was just a little baby.

My baby.

You kill the sweet ones I love!

And let the mean ones, like the Sanders live!

Well, I know you now!

Rudy can't hold a candle to the likes of you!

And you just stay hangin' up there and no one can get to you.

You're the bully! That's what you are!

Well, I spit in your eye, that's what I do!

I spit at you!

I ain't sleepin' in that house tonight.

Blood moon, them creatures would be out.

I could keep lookout.

I know it was you..

...that left the wildflowers on Larry's grave

fixed the blanket, brought the turkey...

...and got me out of trouble with daddy.

You've been watchin' over me.

That's angel work.

First time I saw you through the church window

all those years ago

you were reading that same book.

Nine kids later

and you still are lookin' at me through that window

every Sunday.

Why don't you ever come in?

What do you want from me, Avie?

'Cause I... I don't know anymore.

I mean, you knew who I was when I married ya.

We're not sharin' a bed, y-you don't want me

to discipline our kids no more.

Everything's changed, and I can't get my bearings.

Maybe that's because when you look at me, all you see is..

...pain and death now.

Oh, that's not true, Avie.

You're as beautiful to me today as the first time I saw you.

I'm tryin' to protect you.

From what?

Me.

- Lee, daddy was sayin' today... - You talked to your daddy?

About me and you?

Avie...

Can't you let me do what I think is right

just one time

without runnin' to God and your daddy

to ask for permission first?

You think me and Denver can go back to school tomorrow, daddy?

Yeah, this is most likely the last pick.

Without rain, truth is, it ain't even worth buying seed

for next year. All we got is hardpan, get to work.

Have faith. Buy the seed.

Make it rain, I'll buy seed.

Only God makes the rain.

Not no more, he don't.

You ought not to tease her about God, daddy, it hurts her.

I wasn't teasin' her.

If she ain't got God, she ain't got nothing.

It's her faith that keeps her goin'.

The way you were attackin' God, you're attackin' her.

So you better get to town and buy that seed.

You boys finish up, Deene, take care of the kids.

I gotta go buy faith.

Oh, Avie Lee!

We have prayed and prayed for you, honey.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

God must've needed another little angel.

Well, thank you so much, Miss Bass.

Especially for the prayers.

Please do keep prayin' for us, for our family.

What can I do for you folks today?

- Cotton candy... - Seed.

Biggest cone you got.

And a ten pound bag of seed.

Are you sure? In this drought?

Oh, he's sure.

Well, alright, I'll go to the back and get it.

It'll be ready before you leave.

Stingy.

Want some more?

I might.

No one has seen her since she lost that baby.

Well, she looks just awful.

Peaked, just terrible.

Well, who wouldn't, eight kids already.

They can't feed the family they have now.

What is wrong with Lee Parton?

Same thing you wish your husband would catch.

You know, God took that little baby just as sure as this world.

I'd say it's a blessin' in disguise.

How could the takin' of an innocent ever be a blessin'?

Oh, I'm so sorry, Avie Lee.

Everybody knows I let my mouth run away with me.

Yeah, you got that Christian courage

when no one can hear ya.

You're a damn hypocrite.

You all are, calling yourselves Christians.

Everyone of you can go straight to hell

and you can take that seed with ya!

Oh, Lord, have mercy.

I didn't know they were in here.

You didn't have to cuss them.

Yeah, I told the truth and nothin' but.

They all a bunch of hypocrites up in that church.

Everyone no love...

They ain't no hypocrites. Mama's not.

Estelle, Dorothy, daddy's not.

Well, he ain't running full of love, especially not for me.

Now we gonna make this about you.

I'm the one that lost my baby.

You ain't the only one!

You forget I'm the one that held him

when he drew his last breath.

You always forget that, don't ya?

Oh, hell, it don't matter anyway, Avie Lee.

You're just gonna cry, and you're gonna pray

and we're gonna have more like we always do.

Just like the church lady said.

Are you gonna drive?

Or are you gonna dance all night?

Well, you know, you can't go anywhere.

I guess you're stuck, since you can't drive.

Oh, what are you gonna do, huh?

You don't even know how to start the truck.

Oh, I'm about to finish it.

Avie Lee, turn off the truck.

- You don't drive. - You better move!

Turn off the truck.

You don't drive, turn off the truck.

And you don't dance.

Avie Lee!

Woman..

...you better stop!

Is that how you run out the Sanders?

Pulled that buck knife?

Of course she didn't.

- Did ya? - No.

I used the Tennessee flag.

Attached to six feet of solid Tennessee hickory.

Guys, the Sanders have dogged us all our lives.

Now they've gone too far and hurt Dolly.

And Judy. They split her lip.

It's settled then. Lay low, Dolly.

Don't go back to school till we're done workin' with daddy.

Then we'll go back with you. We'll go together.

We have to make sure they never lay hand on a Parton again.

I'll help you..

...if you need me to.

We ain't kin with Ogles.

So why would you get in any deeper?

She gave blood for me, Denver.

We friends.

We're friends.

Friends fight for each other when they need to.

- Mama, what happened? - Where's daddy? Is he okay?

- Just give me a minute. - What's wrong?

Just give me a minute. Let me breathe.

I was alright till my temper wore off and then I just prayed

for home or heaven, either one, just make it quick.

I'll say this once.

Get in bed.

Well, that was a damn fool thing to do.

I got here, didn't I?

What? You mad ‘cause I took your truck?

Or 'cause if I can drive, I don't need you no more.

Is that all you need me for? A ride?

Well, if this is how church folk act, I'm done with it.

You mean me?

Don't you, Lee?

You done with me? ‘Cause I'm church folk.

You know, I always thought you were different, Avie Lee.

But I'm tellin' you right now, I ain't ever gonna darken

the doorway of that church ever again!

It ain't like you darkened it in the first place.

Even when we got married you made daddy do that outside.

- And that is a fact. - Well, here's a fact for you.

Until I can find more accommodating shelter

I'm movin' to the barn.

If it was good enough for the baby Jesus

it is good enough for Mr. Robert Lee Parton!

It broke my heart when daddy moved to the barn.

Seein' mama and daddy apart..

...just made us all feel so helpless.

Thank you for the books, Miss Moody.

They mean the world to me.

You're too smart not to be educated, Willadeene.

You can't come to us, we'll just come to you.

My goodness! I've got to get to school.

- Mornin', Mrs. Parton. - Oh, good morning, Miss Moody.

I have brought some things for Dolly.

Is she still too sick to see me?

Sick?

Why, no. Dolly's in school.

No, ma'am.

Max Factor.

He makes up all the movie stars.

Here, you try some on.

Why would I want to do that?

To see what you look like.

Don't you wanna be beautiful?

Oh, this is a nice color.

Ooh, I like these.

♪ From your top to your toe

♪ Anything goes

♪ On you it looks good... ♪

Dolly.

Hmm.

I'm dead.

Dolly Rebecca Parton.

What do you think you're doing? Skippin' school?

Your sister would give anything to go to school

and you just gonna throw it away?

Then let her! She can wear that coat and see how much fun it is!

That's why you skipped school?

'Cause you was ashamed of the coat I made you?

Here.

You take it. Miss Moody gave it to you.

It's still got the tags on it.

Take it.

Come on, Dolly. Let's get this over with.

We'll be praying for you in heaven, Dolly.

Come on.

She didn't even think twice.

- 'Bout skipping school? - About taking that coat.

Dolly, there's only one person that holds our family together.

Me?

No, not you. Your mama.

And when she lost our little baby..

...I couldn't stand looking at the pain in her eyes.

So I quit lookin'...

...cause I didn't know how to bring the light back into 'em.

And then when I saw you grieving so

I knew that the one thing that might help your mama get back

on her feet was helping you.

'Cause your mama put all the hopes and dreams

of our family into you.

Where'd she put 'em?

In your foot.

God almighty, girl, in your heart.

Oh.

Every night, night after night that she stayed up

puttin' piece after piece into that coat was sewn with love.

It was like, Dolly, with every stitch

that she was mending our family's broken hearts.

Your mama's heart holds all the love for our family, Dolly.

And her heart's strong..

...but it can be broken.

So be careful with her heart, Dolly.

Mama! Mama!

Mama.

I'm so sorry, mama.

All I ever wanted was to be beautiful like you.

But I'm ugly inside and out.

'Cause I got a little shriveled up black heart

when all I want is a heart like yours.

Big and strong and full of love.

After all the things I said and done..

...how can you stand me, mama?

How can you stand to look at such a little worm?

Because you're my worm.

You're like a little pupa.

Just developing its protective shell.

And your cocoon, that's your family.

Wrappin' around you so tight.

And when you finally break free..

...you'll have beautiful butterfly wings..

...with beautiful colors..

...that will catch the wind

and the eyes of everybody that sees 'em.

And those colors, they've always been in there

just too tiny to see

until the time is just right.

But... how will I know, mama?

Because..

...you'll be able to fly.

Mama..

...why are those Sanders kids at school so mean?

Are they just jealous and full of hate?

I think that's what happens when love is missin'.

They just go sour.

Like milk, sitting out too long in the sun.

That bunch don't even give love to each other.

I ain't talking about the love they give, baby.

I'm talking about the love they get.

But... how do I love Rudy Sanders?

By forgivin' him.

We're called to love our enemies.

See, love, it ain't just a feeling. It's an action.

You decide to forgive him and that is an act of love.

Have you decided to forgive daddy?

There ain't nothing to forgive.

I love your daddy now and forever.

If you don't remember anything else from the bible, darling

remember this.

Love... never fails.

You want some of this?

Fight you any day, Rudy Sanders.

Stop! In the name of Joseph and his coat of many colors.

Let me through. Make way.

I've got something to say.

I got a word.

Well, it looks pretty even.

Pfft, you can act like royalty, Dolly Parton

you as white trash as me.

Starting with that coat you got on.

You talk down to my sister like that again

and I'll bury you like a dead dog.

No, no. We ain't fighting today.

- We ain't? - We-we are.

We ain't. 'Cause love never fails.

Figures.

Everybody knows the Partons is lily-livered bible-beaters

and prone to cowardice.

You ever lost anything, Rudy?

That you couldn't get back?

Yeah. A nickel-plated comb I won at the fair.

Our mama.

Rudy... we didn't know.

Well, now you do. So, what?

It's not going to change nothing.

Still going to beat the bejesus out of you

your brothers and your pet banshee.

We don't wanna fight no more.

Do we, boys?

No, not really.

Where's all this "Love never fails" stuff coming from?

- A bubblegum wrapper? - Our mama.

She knows everything.

Your mama don't know nothing about nothing.

She knew you didn't have no love.

Come to church.

I had a dream.

Something big is gonna happen.

Our's going to be dinner on the ground.

We's having frog legs.

And catfish.

And squirrel.

Unless you'd rather have chicken.

What time on Sunday?

My grandpa, Jake, loved our family.

He loved us so much that he didn't hesitate

to insert himself into any problems he thought we had.

Mama and daddy's marriage troubles were real

and Grandpa Jake refused to ignore them.

Mornin', Lee.

Preacher.

Let me get right to it then.

Now, I understand, you bedding down out here in the barn

with a Bluetick hound instead of my daughter.

Bloodhound. Bluetick died.

But I think you'd be happy about my new sleeping partner.

Alright, I'll admit it.

It was hard on me.

She wasn't but 15 years old.

And she was my prize. She was..

She was my gift from God.

And you was just... way too wild and good-looking to be trusted.

But she loved ya!

Still does.

The fact of the matter is, I just, I've gotten used to you.

And the seven children you blessed her with.

- Eight. - Eight.

Yeah, I keep forgetting about that boy

that eats dirt and worms.

- Randy. - Randy.

You named one of them after me and I might remember.

How come you sleeping in the barn, Lee?

Oh, preacher, you know why.

You said it that night at the burial.

I needed to stay away from her

and you were right.

Well, now... don't this beat all.

Just about the time I was ready to change my mind about you

you turned quitter on me.

What would you have me do, preacher?

Her and I, we can't even wash our clothes together

without gettin' in the family way.

Losing this baby, it almost killed her.

I can't bear it if it happens again and I know she can't.

So, you tell me, is it better that I just sleep out here

or go and make three or four babies

and then pray my wife survives it.

Do you believe in God, Lee?

Do you?

Do you believe that God loved you enough to die for ya?

That he loves you still.

He don't make it easy.

When I gotta build a pine box

and put my baby in the ground.

No, he don't.

No, he don't.

No, sir.

But now... son.

It is impossible without him.

See you at church on Sunday?

♪ Forever is the love

Try comin' inside this time.

You can hear the preacher better.

♪ Forever is the love

♪ That is true and undemanding ♪

Lee!

Lee!

Lee!

I prayed and I prayed so hard!

For the baby, for Dolly. For the rain, for you.

Dear God, please let it rain, so, my husband can hope again.

So, he will love me again.

I tried so hard not doubt, I..

♪ Say forever you'll be mine

You never doubt. You're all I need.

And you're all I've ever wanted.

♪ Trouble clouds may fill our skies

♪ It might even rain awhile

♪ But the rain will go away

♪ There's always a brighter day ♪

- The raining stopped. - Yeah.

Oh, what if the young'uns gonna think we've been doing?

Wild berry picking.

And that their mama never looked so beautiful.

Why you feeling all soft and runny?

We got to come up with dinner on Sunday for the Sanders' clan.

Oh, why would we do that? They're awful people.

Because Dolly invited 'em, like a peace offering.

Like Joseph.

The only difference between me and Joseph

is that he was the second richest man in Egypt

and I'm the second poorest in Sevier County.

Lordly, who's more poorer than we are?

Oh, well, the Sanders, of course.

I'm rich in other ways, right, mama?

Hmm? And you're one lucky girl.

- I'm lucky. - Lucky, lucky, mama.

Why you gettin' all fancy?

Think Rudy Sanders is gonna care?

Probably won't even show up.

Ye of little faith.

When you saw me, through the church window

all those years ago

little and dark and scrawny

and wide-eyed..

...what did you see in me?

Hair so long, you sat on it between the hymns

and I wanted to touch it.

Pray he's not a runner.

Be patient, Jake.

He's run from the Lord for 15 years.

He ain't running from the Lord.

He's running from daddy.

It's hard to tell the difference, Dorothy Jo.

Huh.

- Well, Lee. - Preacher.

Looks like Dolly has put together quite a crowd here.

You ought to be real proud of her.

And those are words you don't hear often.

No, you don't.

No, you don't.

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Amen.

Mornin'. Good mornin'.

But I thought..

...after last night, things had changed.

Avie Lee, I keep seeing

his little hand.

I don't understand a God

that would let that happen.

Do you feel that?

Warm and alive. Right here and right now.

But I won't always be here.

One day you're gonna reach for me

and I will be cold as ice and then what?

Well, if there's a God like you and the preacher say

then that day'll never come for me.

That's your plan?

Die first?

Do you know where that leaves me?

Alone.

Forever.

What in the hell is she talkin' about?

Eternity, son.

Eternity.

And where you gonna spend it.

♪ There's a land that is fairer than day

♪ And by faith we can see it afar

♪ For the savior waits over the way

♪ To prepare us a dwelling place there

♪ the sweet ♪ In the sweet

♪ By and by

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore

♪ the sweet ♪ In the sweet

♪ By and by

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

You know, if these walls could talk

they would tell you that I have

preached some rousin' sermons in here.

Amen, preacher.

Amen, sister, amen.

I'm not gonna talk about hell today.

No, I'm gonna talk about somethin'

some of you might think is hell sometimes.

But it isn't.

Life..

And it can be hard.

Unbearable.

Crops fail...

...sickness comes.

Friends will fail you, wives betray you.

Husbands will turn to drinks.

Ooh, that awful sound that

comes from a child's stomach

when you put them to bed hungry at night.

Who can bear that?

Does he talk a louder in there?

Losing your mama.

Burying your child.

Without God who can bear it?

Can you?

No.

- Can you? - No.

Life breaks your heart.

Life will drive you to your knees and then

you have finally gotten somewhere because then

the only way there's for you to go is up.

♪ Just as I am

♪ Without one plea

♪ But that thy blood

♪ Was shed for me

♪ And that thou bidet

♪ Me come to thee

♪ O Lamb of God

♪ I come I come... ♪

Come.

We're not stuck here.

Lyin' out in the night.

Crawling through the darkness.

Broken and alone.

Separated from the ones we love forever.

No, sir, we are not.

Because we have the promise

of heaven.

Come.

Come.

♪ I come ♪

Daddy!

You asked me what I saw in you all those years ago

when I looked through the church window..

...saw my whole life in front of me.

Every woman on Earth lives to hear those words.

But they are not the words I long to hear.

Good Lord, woman I'm standin'

in the church tellin' you I love you.

And I love you, Robert Lee Parton.

So much.

That is why this whole world... ain't enough.

I want to be with you forever.

I wanna hold your hand..

...in heaven..

...when we see our little boy again.

Okay.

Okay?

I surrender. Everything.

So I can hold your hand in heaven.

- Praise the Lord. - Halleluiah!

♪ Forever I am yours

♪ Say forever you'll be mine ♪

Your mom was real pretty, Rudy.

Is your nickel-plated comb in there with her?

Yeah.

She says I was only one who ever combed out all

her tangles without hurtin'.

She always made me feel special.

Nothing's ever really lost, Rudy.

Not as long as we remember.

What your grandpa said?

You think it's true? About heaven?

Oh, yeah.

You'll see your mama again, Rudy.

Count on it.

'Course you'd stop being a bully.

Do what the good book says

and get washed by the blood of Jesus.

And a little soap wouldn't hurt either.

- Huh, you doin' all that? - I'm workin' on it.

Most likely for the rest of my life.

Excepting the soap.

I'm partial to perfume.

I'm sure it smells better.

Some say to forgive and forget.

I was able to forgive Rudy because there was a pain

in the loss of a loved one that I understood.

I never wanted to forget.

Cause when I think back on those hard times

they're also my best memories.

We made peace on our mountain.

Overcame heartbreak.

Saved a family and mended a marriage.

Dolly, don't you just love that new coat?

It's so stylish.

They say all the girls in Nashville are wearing it.

I do love it.

It's a beautiful coat.

- I do thank you, Miss Moody. - Of course.

But I already have one.

So I think you should give it to a girl who really needs one.

- Alright. - But not Stella.

It'd just be too hard on her, knowing you gave it to me first.

- Alright. - Or Gloria.

She's got enough hair on her to keep her warm this winter.

Why don't you just keep it?

You know you want to.

No, Miss Moody.

Just ‘cause you want something, don't mean it's meant for you.

I have the most beautiful coat in the world.

But I do have an idea of who

needs a coat with a little style.

Judy, come here.

Come on.

Take it.

You sure?

Best friends, ain't we?

There was one more act of forgiveness needed.

Mama knew it and I knew it too.

I had to forgive God.

And ask him to forgive me too.

And all through the years he's always found a way

to let me know that he does.

♪ My coat of many colors that my mama made for me

♪ Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly

♪ And although we had no money I was rich as I could be

♪ In my coat of many colors mama made for me ♪

And, mama, there is not a day that goes by

that I don't think about you.

And our Christmas' together.

So I just wanted to say to all of you out there

Merry Christmas.

♪ My coat of many colors that my mama made for me

♪ Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly

♪ It's true we had no money but I was rich as I could be

♪ In my coat of many colors mama made for me

♪ 'Cause she made it just for me ♪