Down from Dover

(Dolly Parton)



I know this dress I'm wearing doesn't hide the secret I have tried concealing

When he left, he promised me that he'd be back by the time it was revealing

The sun behind a cloud just casts a crawling shadow o'er the fields of clover

And time is running out for me, I wish that he would hurry down from Dover.



He's been gone so long, when he left the snow was deep upon the ground

And I have seen a spring and summer pass and now the leaves are turning brown

And any time, a tiny face will show itself 'cause waiting's almost over

But I won't have a name to give it if he doesn't hurry down from Dover

From Dover, from Dover.



My folks weren't understanding when they found out, they sent me from the home place

My Daddy said, if folks found out he'd be ashamed to ever show his face

My Mama said, I was a fool and she did not believe it when I told her

Mama, everything's gonna be all right soon he will be coming down from Dover.



I've found a place to stay out on the farm takin' care of an old lady

She never asked me nothin' so, I never talked to her about my baby

I sent a message to my Mom with a name and address of Miss L. Grover

And to make sure he got that information when he came down from Dover.



I loved him more than anything and I could not refuse him when he needed me

He was the only one I'd loved and I just can't believe that he was using me

He wouldn't leave me here like this I know it can't be, so it can't be over

He wouldn't make me go through this alone

He'll be coming down from Dover.



My body aches the time is here it's lonely in this place where I'm lyin'

Our baby has been born but something's wrong it's much too still, I hear no cryin'

I guess in some strange way she knew

She'd never have a father's arms to hold her

So dying was her way of telling me he wasn't coming down from Dover

From Dover, from Dover.



Down from Dover...