Beyoncé’s ‘Jolene’ Lyrics vs. Dolly Parton’s Original: What’s New & What’s the Same?

29 March, 2024

While Beyoncé fans found out on Wednesday when the Cowboy Carter tracklist was unveiled that there would be a song called “Jolene” on the album, the finished product is not exactly a Dolly Parton cover.

In fact, Bey keeps the simple string-plucking production almost identical to Parton’s 1973 original on her new “Jolene,” but she’s updated almost all the lyrics to tell a brand-new story of the infamous other woman. We discover the lyrical changes almost immediately, when Beyoncé sings in the second line, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” in place of Parton’s “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man.”

The biggest musical shift comes in Beyoncé’s new bridge, which has a melody that isn’t used in Dolly’s song and includes a choir of voices backing up Queen B. The bridge switches from the song’s minor key to an optimistic major as Beyoncé confidently sings: “I sleep good happy, ’cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds.”

Below, find the new lyrics to Beyoncé’s “Jolene,” as well as her lyric video, and Parton’s original “Jolene” lyrics.

BEYONCÉ’S NEW “JOLENE LYRICS”

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warning you, don’t come for my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don’t take the chance because you think you can

You’re beautiful beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I’m a woman too
Thе games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene
We’ve been deep in love for 20 years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (what)
I can easily understand why you’re attracted to my man
But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (you heard me)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warning you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (don’t try me)

There’s a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (what)
I had to have this talk with you
‘Cause I hate to have to act a fool
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene

Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
You did roll in like tumbling weeds
I sleep good happy, ’cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds
I know my man’s gonna stand by me breathing in my gentle breeze

I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumbling weeds
Good and happy, ’cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me, Jolene

I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me
I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene

DOLLY PARTON’S ORIGINAL “JOLENE” LYRICS

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man
(Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
(Jolene)
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene (Jolene)

He talks about you in his sleep
And there’s nothing I can do to keep from crying
When he calls your name, Jolene (Jolene)
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don’t know what he means to me, Jolene (don’t take him)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Oh, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, please don’t take him just because you can (don’t take him)

You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He’s the only one for me, Jolene (he’s the only one)
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
Whatever you decide to do, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
(Don’t take him, don’t take him, don’t take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can (just because you can)
Jolene, Jolene (please don’t take him, please don’t take him, Jolene)
Jolene

Jolene

He’s the only one for me
Jolene
Jolene, Jolene
Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can

Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind

Written by: Dolly Parton