Jolene – English Lyrics

• By: Dolly Parton

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Dolly Parton's iconic hit, "Jolene," and discover how a simple encounter and a touch of jealousy sparked a timeless tale of insecurity and longing. This song offers a fantastic opportunity to explore themes of love, fear, and vulnerability, all while enjoying Parton's signature country sound and heartfelt storytelling .

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
begging /ˈbɛɡɪŋ/ B2	verb - to ask someone earnestly or humbly for something.
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - to get possession of something
beauty /ˈbjuːti/ B1	noun - the quality of being pleasing to the eye or mind
compare /kəmˈpeər/ B2	noun - an instance or manner of comparing. verb - estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between.
flaming /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/ C1	adjective - burning fiercely; blazing
locks /lɒks/ B2	noun - a tress or curl of hair.
auburn /ˈɔːbərn/ B2	adjective - reddish-brown in color
ivory /ˈaɪvəri/ B2	adjective - having a creamy white color
skin /skɪn/ A1	noun - the outer protective layer of the body
emerald /ˈemərəld/ B2	adjective - of a rich green colour
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - an expression of happiness verb - to have or show a smile
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air inhaled or exhaled in respiration
spring /sprɪŋ/ A2	noun - the season after winter and before summer
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth
soft /sɒft/ A2	adjective - easy to mold, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch.
summer /ˈsʌmər/ A2	noun - the warmest season of the year
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere.
sleep /sliːp/ A1	noun - a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for several hours every night verb - be in a state of sleep
crying /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ A2	verb - shed tears
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a great affection or liking for. noun - an intense feeling of deep affection.
happiness /ˈhæpinəs/ B1	noun - the state of being happy

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm begging of you, please, don't take my man

  ➔ Present continuous for emphasis/urgent request; imperative (don't take)

  ➔ The present continuous, "I'm begging", emphasizes the urgency and desperation of the speaker's plea. "Don't take" is an imperative, directly commanding Jolene.

• Please don't take him just because you can

  ➔ Modal verb of ability ("can") in the negative with "just because"; Conditional sentence implied

  ➔ "Can" expresses Jolene's ability, but the phrase "just because you can" suggests that having the ability doesn't justify the action. It implies: "Even though you *could* take him, please don't."

• Your beauty is beyond compare

  ➔ Preposition "beyond" indicating exceeding a limit/standard.

  ➔ "Beyond compare" is an idiom meaning unmatched or unparalleled. It emphasizes that Jolene's beauty is exceptional.

• And I cannot compete with you, Jolene

  ➔ Modal verb "cannot" expressing inability; preposition "with" expressing comparison/opposition.

  ➔ "Cannot" indicates a lack of ability to compete. The preposition "with" sets up the comparison between the speaker and Jolene.

• How you could easily take my man

  ➔ Indirect question with "how" and modal verb "could"; adverb "easily".

  ➔ The phrase is part of a larger sentence, but functions as an indirect question expressing the speaker's understanding of Jolene's power. "Could" expresses potential ability, and "easily" emphasizes how simple it would be for Jolene.

• But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

  ➔ Contrast conjunction "but"; relative pronoun "what" introducing a noun clause; simple present tense.

  ➔ "But" introduces a contrasting idea. "What he means to me" is a noun clause acting as the object of the verb "know". The simple present tense conveys a general truth.

• You could have your choice of men

  ➔ Modal verb "could" + "have" + past participle expressing unrealized possibility in the past.

  ➔ "Could have had" indicates that Jolene *had* the option to choose any man she wanted, but hasn't acted upon that choice in this scenario.

• My happiness depends on you

  ➔ Simple present tense expressing a general truth/dependence; preposition "on" showing reliance.

  ➔ The sentence expresses that the speaker's well-being is directly tied to Jolene's actions. "Depends on" signifies this reliance.