R.I.P. Dolly Parton (1946-2026)
Country Music isn’t really my thing, but I was very sad when I heard the news a couple of days ago about the death of Dolly Parton. So sad, in fact, that I felt I had to wait a while before posting anything. I have little to add to the obituaries about her now, but I’ll just mention some things that I liked about her. O
ne was that she was totally accepting of the LGBTQ+ people, which is why she was adopted so enthusiastically even by people like me who aren’t really country music fans. Her unoffocial motto was “Find out who you are and do it on purpose”. That is admirable advice. Even during the ongoing backlash of bigotry she stood her ground. For that alone I would mourn her passing.
The second thing that I should say mention is her philanthropy. She was a tireless supporter of good causes, especially her wonderful Imagination Library (which has had a branch in the Republic of Ireland since 2019). This exists to encourage young children to read by giving them free books. Here in Ireland An Post delivers them for free too. As well as this and other public initiatives there are countless private acts of kindness, little gifts and words of encouragement. These days it seems unfashionable to be both rich and generous. Certainly one can’t imagine Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos and their ilk giving any of their vast fortunes to any good cause.
Another thing about Dolly Parton that I adored was her self-deprecating humour. I regularly saw her on TV disarming someone who tried to mock her style and appearance by parodying herself. She always seemed to be down-to-earth and completely without pretentions. Of course I never met Dolly Parton, but I really think I would have liked her if I had.
I’ve already stated that I am not the biggest fan of Country Music but some of Dolly Parton’s songs crossed over and became huge popular hits. This one is one that I really do like. This is the original version of I Will Always Love You later covered by Whitney Houston, but I like it this version better. Incidentally, it was written on the same day as another smash hit of hers, Jolene.
R.I.P. Dolly Parton (1946-2026)
In the Dark 
August 27, 2026 at 8:07 pm
Yesterday BBC Radio 3 played a recording of her singing Love Is Like A Butterfly as a tribute. It seemed entirely appropriate and fitted in perfectly.