[Verse 1]
Somebody better warn Jolene,
There’s a knock beyond the pearly gate.
Dolly’s coming through those heaven doors,
And she’s been patient—now she won’t be late.
She’s waited years to climb those stairs,
With every name tucked safe inside her head.
She’s got her guitar against her side,
And one last thing she needs to said.

[Chorus]
Jolene, you better move your feet and run,
You only get to die one time.
Dolly’s taking the long way up,
But she’s coming, one step at a time.
Somebody find that girl and tell her,
Say a prayer before the bell—
Jolene thought she’d found a safe place,
But heaven’s got a door to hell.

[Verse 2]
The angels checked the guestbook twice,
No Jolene by the fountain or the throne.
Saint Peter said, “She passed this way,”
Then Dolly’s bootheels tapped the stone.
She remembered every face she’d known,
Every promise, every borrowed smile.
She tuned one string and took a breath—
That climb would take a little while.

[Chorus]
Jolene, you better move your feet and run,
You only get to die one time.
Dolly’s taking the long way up,
But she’s coming, one step at a time.
Somebody find that girl and tell her,
Say a prayer before the bell—
Jolene thought she’d found a safe place,
But heaven’s got a door to hell.

[Bridge]
“Jolene,” called a voice below,
Soft as Sunday, sharp as a pin.
The clouds went still, the choir quit,
And every halo tilted in.
She’d thought the gates would keep her safe,
She’d thought the years had cooled the flame—
Then Dolly smiled and checked the list,
And called her by her full first name.

[Final Chorus]
Jolene, you better move your feet and run,
You only get to die one time.
Dolly’s nearly up the last few steps,
Still taking all the time she likes.
Somebody found that girl too late,
The prayer book closed, the bell was rung.
Jolene thought she’d made it safe—
Then Dolly struck one chord, and sung:

[Outro]
“Jolene.”