The Story Behind Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt’s Cover of “Bury Me Beneath The Willow”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
One of the many beauties of country music is the passing down of classic songs from generation to generation. Whether it be via word of mouth or by means of a fountain pen, the tradition has been transpiring since the beginning of country music. A prime example of this would be Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt’s cover of “Bury Me Beneath The Willow.”
Originally released by The Carter Family in 1928, the nearly 100-year-old song has been covered a plethora of times. However, Parton and Company’s cover seems to be the most authentic given it is sung in a trio, which is exactly how it was sung by The Carter family back in the ’20s.
From Harris’ House to The Dolly Parton Show
Much like the colloquial nature of these songs’ journeys, how the group stumbled across their collaboration was of the same nature. According to Oxford American, Parton had shown up at Harris’ house unexpectedly. Consequently, Harris called Ronstadt telling her to come over so they could workshop this new song. What the meeting entailed was the creation of the trio’s impeccably harmonized cover of “Bury Me Beneath The Willow.” Parton recalled that when she first heard, it was “just chilling, chilling, chilling,” per Oxford American.
Now ready for the public, the three female country icons took the stage of the Dolly Parton Show in 1976. The performance of the classic tune is hauntingly beautiful and doubles as both a melodic funeral dirge and a dismal wedding song. They impressively encompass of range of emotions in a song about death and remembrance.
In Consequence ‘Trio’ Was Born
Despite their flawless rendition, the song was never recorded in the studio. So, the only living version of this song exists on YouTube. However, there is far more to see and hear from the majestic three. In 1987, the three artists released an album titled, Trio. The album included songs such as “Wildflowers,” “My Dear Companion,” and “I’ve Had Enough.”
Both a vocal expose and musical distortion of Southern femininity, the album garnered an ACM award, a Grammy Nomination, and an induction into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020. Needless to say, the three artists and their rendition of the timeless tune is something country music fans long for on a daily basis. But for now, you can satisfy that need with this video.
