Welsh musician Bronwen Lewis was pleasantly surprised when her cover of Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh led to a collaboration with the country music icon. Lewis, hailing from Wales, began sharing her renditions of Parton’s tracks online around two years ago. Her version of “Jolene” garnered attention from Jada Star, Parton’s niece, eventually leading to a joint recording with the legendary singer.
Describing the experience as surreal, Lewis expressed gratitude for Parton’s belief in the project. The newly released Welsh rendition of “Jolene,” featuring vocals in both Welsh and English by Parton, marks one of the late singer’s posthumous releases. Star, acknowledging the significance of the collaboration, hopes that listeners will embrace the track as they have.
Lewis, a devoted country music and Parton fan, highlighted the authenticity and universality of Parton’s music, which she felt resonated perfectly with the Welsh language. Notably, Parton is believed to have Welsh roots on her maternal side.
Reflecting on the emotional impact of hearing Parton’s vocals in both languages, Lewis described the overwhelming response to the track as evoking immediate tears. Star praised Lewis’s cover of “Jolene,” emphasizing the deep respect it showed for Parton’s music and origins.
The Welsh language, with a rich history predating the Roman Empire, faced suppression for centuries until the Welsh Language Act of 1967. Today, approximately 17.8% of the Welsh population speaks Welsh, according to the latest census data. Lewis expressed pride in showcasing the Welsh language on a global stage, believing that the collaboration with Parton and her family will greatly benefit Welsh culture and language.
In closing, Lewis hoped that the music would convey that heartbreak transcends language barriers, emphasizing the shared humanity that unites us all, even across diverse backgrounds.