Dolly's niece Jada Star and Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis say the country singer was "proud" to sing in Welsh

A new version of Dolly Parton's Jolene is set to be released, with parts of the song sung in Welsh by the legendary country artist.

The song was recorded before her death on 25 August, and is a collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis as well as Parton's niece, Jada Star.

In a seven-decade career, Parton won 10 Grammy awards, sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and wrote more than 3,000 songs.

The single will come out on 9 October, and is the second posthumous release from Parton - who was of Welsh descent.

In a teaser video released on social media, Star and Lewis explained how the song came to light.

As a proud Welsh speaker, Lewis, from Neath, had started translating some of her favourite tunes, and soon landed on the Parton classic, Jolene.

"Two years ago I posted a video of me singing the Dolly Parton classic Jolene in Welsh, external," said Lewis.

"I never expected it would go viral and definitely didn't expect it to attract the attention of Dolly's family - especially her niece Jada."

Dolly Parton's niece, Jada, got in touch with Bronwen Lewis after hearing her sing Jolene in Welsh

A friendship was born, and Star came over from Nashville in the US to Wales to meet Lewis, joining her at Pride Cymru.

"Pride Cymru was such an amazing experience and I learned so much about my family lineage," said Star.

"I cherish the time I spent with Bronwen exploring one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen."

Jada Star asked her aunt, Dolly Parton, if she would sing with her and Bronwen on a version of Jolene

The teaser revealed it was Star's suggestion to record Jolene in Welsh, which Lewis "jumped" at the chance to do, with Star then saying she would get her aunt involved too.

"Jada told me that her Aunt Dolly would like to sing with us on our version of Jolene. I think I fell to the ground," said Lewis.

"Definitely cried happy tears, and called my mother immediately."

BBC Radio Wales presenter Lewis said she had always loved Parton's music.

"To hear Dolly sing in another language, and in Welsh for the very first time, was unbelievable."

Watch: 'Where's Jolene now? You can have him, Jolene'

After understanding the phonetics of Lewis' translation, Parton recorded her parts at her studio in Nashville, in early 2025.

Lewis had planned to go over to meet her to release the music, but Parton passed away before the meet-up could happen.

"It was devastating, not just for myself and our family, but for the entire world," Star said.

Lewis said the pair realised what a privilege it was to have recorded and collaborated "with one of the greatest musicians and women to grace this Earth".

"We did what she always told us to do. We got ourselves together and decided to finish what we started," Star added.

Star and Lewis said Parton was "proud" to sing in Welsh.

This is not the first time Parton has featured on songs in another language.

She has appeared on several Latin songs and also collaborated on a track with an Irish folk band in 2011.

Before her death, Parton revealed she had recorded a song with U2 which is set to be released in November. She also teased fans about a track which has been kept in a time capsule until its planned release in 2046.

Bronwen and Jada recorded Jolene in the UK, while Dolly recorded her parts at her studio in Nashville

In 2008, during a concert at the Cardiff International Arena, Parton reportedly revealed her Welsh ancestry to fans in the crowd.

"Some of my mother's people, the Owens, are from there [Wales]," Parton later told Wales Online.

"I've been there about three times and it always feels good because it feels like family."

Star had also previously spoken about the family's Welsh connection.

She said the Owens side of the family, coming from Parton's mother Avie Lee Owens, was believed to have come from Conwy.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales in 2024, Star said discovering that part of the family's history had been "really extraordinary".

Star suggested some of Parton's music, and her own, may have been inspired by her Welsh roots.

Parton's death brought renewed attention in Wales to the country music legend's Welsh links, with her heritage explored in a 2025 documentary.

Following the singer's death, research by staff at Conwy council's archives suggested Parton's ancestors were from Machynlleth, not Conwy as previously thought.

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