Not only is Dolly Parton a world-renowned country music star, but she has long been known as an artist who encourages acceptance and equality for all, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. Parton shared that acceptance by a crafting song called "Travelin' Thru" for the 2005 film Transamerica. The film, directed by Duncan Tucker, stars Felicity Huffman as a transgender woman named Bree who finds out she has a long-lost son. The movie follows Bree on a road trip as she explores her identity in regard to her family and her newfound son.
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Although "Travelin' Thru" doesn't directly mention the experiences of the movie's lead character, it appeals to all kinds of outsiders looking to find their way in the world. This feeling is something Parton herself experienced growing up as a cis woman in East Tennessee. Indeed, the "Jolene" singer ended up being the perfect person to craft such a message for this emotionally charged story.
"My grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher. It was a sin to even pluck your eyebrows, and they thought it was a sin for me to be there looking like Jezebel," the beloved country star shared with USA Today in 2006.
In "Travelin' Thru," Parton sings about maneuvering the journey of life and the trials and tribulations that come along with that. The song also preaches acceptance of oneself, especially with the line, "God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain." Not only was the song inspired by Parton's own experience as an outsider, but she also took inspiration from two transgender friends. Which makes it directly applicable to Transamerica.
"I have a friend and a relative who are transgender. I said, 'I'll be happy to make a stab at that.' It came really easily, because I had personal stuff to draw from," she wrote in her book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. (quote via cheatsheet.com).
Parton wrote the song on her bus in one day, and as every great songwriter does, she wanted her lyrics to relate to anyone who came across it, no matter what their struggles were.
"I tried to write 'Travelin' Thru' from a broader scale, to make it about people who are trying to find out who they are or what their purpose is in life," she added. "It's about people and their life's journey: 'I don't know where I'm going. I don't even know where I've been.'"
"Travelin' Thru" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2006, and Parton gave an energetic performance at the 78th Academy Awards. The song lost the award to fellow nominees Paul Beauregard, Jordan Houston and Cedric Coleman for "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp," but it still earned the honor of being recognized at one of the prestigious awards ceremonies in the world. "Travelin' Thru" was also nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award. The Golden Globe award ended up going to fellow country artist Emmylou Harris' "A Love That Will Never Grow Old."
Although Parton's attitude toward inclusion was well documented by the 2000s -- it goes back to her song "Family" from her 1991 album Eagle When She Flies -- she still received harsh criticism for writing the song for the movie. But, in true Parton fashion, she simply stayed positive and moved on.
"Having a big gay following, I get hate mail and threats," she told USA Today. "Some people are blind or ignorant, and you can't be that prejudiced and hateful and go through this world and still be happy. One thing about this movie is that I think art can change minds. It's all right to be who you are."
"Travelin' Thru" Lyrics
Well I can't tell you where I'm going, I'm not sure of where I've been
But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end
I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' on
Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me
God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on
But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly
Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin'
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru
