Written by Dolly Parton
G D7 G She was born in a place called Blue Valley C G At the foot of the Tennessee hills C G With the blue birds and blue bells and blue mountain water A7 D7 And the sound of the Blue Whippoorwill G D7 G But there was no peace in the valley C G Her daddy a cruel ruthless man C G Em Used and abused her mind and her body G D7 G So her mama said run while you can D7 G So at fifteen she took to the highway C G Belongings and guitar in hand C G Em And she buried herself in her mu-sic G D7 G The one thing she did understand B7 C G And she sings like a bird and she writes like a poet D7 Her voice has that high lonesome sound G B7 C G She hurts and her songs are the best way to show it C G D7 G So the Blue Valley songbird keeps traveling around D7 G She hopes someday she will make it C G And everyone says that she will C G When she comes to town crowds flock around A7 D7 To see the girl from the Tennessee hills G D7 G She writes letters back home to her momma C G In care of the preacher in town C G Em They're sacred to her so she reads them at church G D7 G And so her daddy cannot track her down B7 C G And she sings like a bird and she cries like a baby D7 Whenever she turns off the lights G B7 C G She's a whole lot lonesome and a little bit crazy C G D7 G From memories and miseries and dreams gone awry B7 C G Blue dress blue shoes a blue Cadillac D7 A band dressed in blue by her side G B7 C G Instruments tied to the top and the back C G D7 G Cause the Blue Valley songbird is singing tonight B7 C G One nighters honky tonks years flying by C G D7 G She's never made it but Lord knows she tries B7 C G Expressing the feelings she holds inside C G D7 G And the Blue Valley songbird is singing tonight C G D7 G Oh the Blue Valley songbird is singing tonight B7 C G And she sings like a bird and she writes like a poet