Welsh singer Bronwen Lewis, known for her renditions of Dolly Parton’s songs, recently collaborated with the country music legend herself on a new Welsh cover of “Jolene.” Lewis initially gained attention for her covers of Parton’s songs shared online. Parton’s niece, Jada Star, noticed Lewis’s rendition of “Jolene,” leading to the collaboration.
The new Welsh version of “Jolene” was recorded in the studio by Lewis and Star, featuring vocals from Parton in both English and Welsh. Released on major streaming platforms, this marks Parton’s second posthumous song release, recorded before her passing in August at the age of 80.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Star emphasized the significance of Lewis’s cover, which resonated with Parton and led to the collaboration. Lewis, a devoted country music and Parton fan, highlighted the emotional impact of hearing Parton’s vocals in English and Welsh.
Parton, believed to have Welsh ancestry, embraced the idea of collaborating on the Welsh cover of “Jolene.” Lewis and Star, along with Parton’s involvement, celebrated the cross-cultural collaboration, aiming to showcase the beauty of the Welsh language and culture to a global audience.
Welsh, a language dating back to ancient times, has faced suppression efforts in history but continues to thrive. Lewis and Star hope their collaboration with Parton will not only highlight the shared human experiences captured in music but also promote understanding and unity across different cultures and languages.