Dolly Parton’s “Joshua” is a country song that holds a special place in her career. Released in 1970, it was the title track for her album of the same name and became a significant milestone for a few reasons.
Chart-topping success: “Joshua” was Parton’s first single to reach number one on the US country charts, solidifying her rise in country music.
Grammy recognition: The song earned Parton her first Grammy nomination in the Best Country Female Vocal category, showcasing her talent to a wider audience.
Thematic intrigue: The lyrics tell the story of a woman named Dolly (likely referencing Parton herself) who expresses curiosity about a lonely man named Joshua living by himself. The catchy chorus “Joshua, Joshua, What you are doing living here all alone / Joshua, Joshua, Have you got nobody to call your own” creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving the listener wondering about Joshua’s past and if a romance might blossom.
While the song doesn’t explicitly reveal everything about Joshua, it represents a turning point in Parton’s career and continues to be a beloved classic in her extensive country music catalog. You can find the song on YouTube: youtube.com or other streaming platforms.
Well, a good ways down the railroad track There was this little old rundown shack And in it lived a man I’d never seen Folks said he was a mean and a vicious man And you better not set foot on his land But I didn’t think nobody could be that mean
So I took me out walking down the railroad track I was a-gonna go down to that little old shack And just find out if all them things I’d heard was true There was a big black dog laying out in the yard And it growled at me and I swallowed hard And I heard somebody say, “well, who are you?” Oh, and there he stood in the door of that shack And his beard and his hair was long and black And he was the biggest man I’d ever seen
When he spoke his voice was low and deep But he just didn’t frighten me ‘Cause somehow I just knew he wasn’t mean He said, “What you doing snooping ’round my place?” Then I saw a smile come across his face So I smiled back and I told him who I was He said come on in and pull you up a chair You might as well since you already here And he said, “You can call me Joshua”
Joshua, Joshua Whatcha doing living here all alone? Joshua, Joshua Ain’t you got nobody to call your own? No no, no no
We talked ’til the sun was clean out of sight And we still talkin’ when it come daylight And there was just so much we had to say I’d spent my life in an orphan’s home And just like him I was all alone So I said, “Yeah, ” when he asked if I’d stay Oh, we grew closer as time went on And that little old shack it was a happy home And we just couldn’t help but fall in love That big black dog and that little old shack Sitting down by the railroad track It’s plenty good enough for me and Joshua
Joshua, Joshua Why you’re just what I’ve been looking for Joshua, Joshua You ain’t gonna be lonesome anymore No no
Yodel-a-he-ho la-he-he-he-he-he Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Me and Joshua Me and Joshua Me and Joshua, yeah yeah Me and Joshua
