Welsh artist Bronwen Lewis, who gained fame by covering Dolly Parton’s songs in Welsh, recently collaborated with the iconic country singer on a new recording. Lewis initially shared her rendition of “Jolene” online, catching the attention of Parton’s niece, Jada Star, leading to the collaboration. The new version of “Jolene,” featuring vocals in Welsh from Parton, was released as her second posthumous song and one of her final recordings before passing away at the age of 80.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Star highlighted Lewis’s talent and the deep respect shown for Parton’s music. The collaboration was a significant moment for Lewis, a lifelong fan of country music, who found Parton’s vocals in both English and Welsh emotionally moving.
Notably, Parton is believed to have Welsh ancestry on her mother’s side. The Welsh language, with a rich history dating back to before the Roman Empire, has faced challenges, including bans and suppression efforts. Today, around 17.8% of people in Wales speak Welsh, according to the country’s 2021 census.
Lewis emphasized the pride in the Welsh language and culture, noting the global impact of their collaboration with Parton. She hopes the project will convey the universality of emotions across languages and promote understanding and unity among diverse communities.