Why has Dolly Parton recorded a song in Welsh?

Image source, Jason Kempin/GettyImage caption, Dolly's niece Jada Star and Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis say the country star was "proud" to sing in Welsh

A Welsh language collaboration between Dolly Parton, her niece Jada Star and singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis might not have been on your bingo card for this year.

But their cover of smash-hit Jolene, with Welsh and English lyrics, has been released on Friday.

The song, recorded before Parton's death on 25 August, is her second posthumous single.

A teaser video released last week shows how Parton spent some time understanding the phonetics of Lewis' translation and recorded her parts at her studio in Nashville in early 2025.

Lewis, a proud Welsh speaker from Neath, started translating some of her favourite tunes in 2024, landed on the Parton classic and recorded a video of herself singing it.

"I never expected it would go viral and definitely didn't expect it to attract the attention of Dolly's family – especially her niece Jada," Lewis said.

Star, also a singer-songwriter, came over to Wales from Nashville and bonded instantly with BBC Radio Wales' Lewis.

The teaser revealed it was Star's suggestion to record Jolene in Welsh, and she would get her aunt involved too.

Star and Lewis said Parton, who has links to Machynlleth in Powys, was "proud" to sing in Welsh.

On the track, Parton recites that "heartbreak sounds the same in every language".

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The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.End of instagram postFive facts about Dolly Parton's Welsh heritageIn 2008, during a concert at the Cardiff International Arena, Parton reportedly revealed her Welsh ancestry to fans in the crowd.

She said she had visited Wales "about three times" and it "felt good because it feels like family", when speaking to WalesOnline.

Star revealed one side of the family from Parton's mother Avie Lee Owens was initially believed to have come from Conwy.

Some of Parton's music may have been inspired by her Welsh roots, according to Star.

Following the singer's death, research by staff at Conwy council's archives suggested Parton's ancestors were from Machynlleth, in Powys, not Conwy as previously thought.

Image source, Bronwen LewisImage caption, Lewis and Star recorded their parts in the UK, while Parton recorded her parts in her studio in Nashville

Fans across the world reacted to the news of the new single.

"Really looking forward to hearing this version," one commented

"Cannot wait for this," another said while another fan commented "anghygoel", which translates to amazing.

This is not the first time Parton has featured on songs in another language.

She has appeared on several Latin songs and also collaborated on a track with an Irish folk band in 2011.

Before her death, Parton revealed she had recorded a song with U2 which is set to be released in November. She also teased fans about a track which has been kept in a time capsule until its planned release in 2046.

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