Golden Streets of Glory cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Golden Streets of Glory Songwriting Credits by Dolly Parton

1971 10 tracks 25 min
GospelCountry Gospel
30%
Authorship
Co-Performer

Holds writing credit on 3 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 3 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Dolly Parton carries a lyricist or composer credit.

30%
3 trackswritten by Dolly Parton 7 tracksoutside writers
Dolly Parton's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist30%
Composer30%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
13
Lyricists
1
Producers
1971
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards (1972)
Data Insight

Golden Streets of Glory is largely a covers-and-traditionals project rather than a Parton songwriting showcase, drawing on the church music of her East Tennessee childhood. Of the ten tracks, Parton contributed only three originals, "The Master's Hand," the title track "Golden Streets of Glory," and a co-write on "Lord, Hold My Hand" with Ginny Dean. The rest leans on standards and hymns such as "How Great Thou Art," "I Believe," and producer Bob Ferguson's "Wings of a Dove," alongside compositions kept inside the family by her aunt Dorothy Jo Hope ("Yes, I See God" and "I'll Keep Climbing") and her grandfather Rev. Jake Owens ("Book of Life"). The album positions Parton more as an interpreter of inherited gospel material than as its author.

Released February 15, 1971 on RCA Victor, Golden Streets of Glory was Dolly Parton's sixth solo studio album, recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville in May 1970. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson, a longtime RCA Nashville producer who helmed much of Parton's early catalog. Parton co-wrote several tracks, including the title song, 'The Master's Hand,' and 'Lord, Hold My Hand,' while her maternal grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens, co-wrote 'Book of Life' and contributed the liner notes. Musically the album blends traditional gospel standards (among them 'How Great Thou Art,' 'Wings of a Dove,' and 'I Believe') with original sacred material, sitting squarely in the country-gospel tradition. The album peaked at number 22 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
I Believe
Irvin GrahamJimmy ShirlErvin DrakeAl Stillman Irvin GrahamJimmy ShirlErvin DrakeAl Stillman Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
2
Yes I See God
Dorothy Jo Owens Dorothy Jo Owens Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
3
The Master’s Hand
Dolly Rebecca Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
4
Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away
Tommy Tomlinson Tommy Tomlinson Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
5
Golden Streets of Glory
Dolly Rebecca Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
6
How Great Thou Art
Stuart K. HineTraditionalCarl Gustav Boberg Stuart K. HineTraditionalCarl Gustav Boberg Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
7
I’ll Keep Climbing
Dorothy Jo Owens Dorothy Jo Owens Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
8
Book of Life
Jake Robert Owens Jake Robert Owens Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
9
Wings of a Dove
Bob Ferguson Bob Ferguson Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
10
Lord, Hold My Hand
Ginny DeanDolly Rebecca Parton Ginny DeanDolly Rebecca Parton Bob Ferguson Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 14 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Golden Streets of Glory

When was Dolly Parton's Golden Streets of Glory released?
Golden Streets of Glory was released on February 15, 1971, by RCA Victor. It was recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, over three days in May 1970. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson.
Is Golden Streets of Glory Dolly Parton's first gospel album?
Yes, Golden Streets of Glory was Dolly Parton's first full gospel album. It drew directly on the church music of her childhood in East Tennessee, mixing traditional hymns and standards with originals written by Parton and members of her family.
Which songs on Golden Streets of Glory did Dolly Parton write?
Parton wrote three of the album's ten tracks. She is the sole writer of "The Master's Hand" and the title track "Golden Streets of Glory," and she co-wrote "Lord, Hold My Hand" with Ginny Dean. The remaining songs are standards, hymns, or compositions by her relatives.
Who wrote "Wings of a Dove" on Golden Streets of Glory?
"Wings of a Dove" was written by Bob Ferguson, who also produced the album. It was already a well-known gospel-country standard by the time Parton recorded her version, making it one of the album's covers rather than an original.
What is the song "Book of Life" about on Golden Streets of Glory?
"Book of Life" was written by Parton's maternal grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens. The song refers to the biblical Book of Life, which holds the names of those who have been saved, are saved, and will be saved. It was one of several family compositions Parton chose to record for the album.
Did anyone in Dolly Parton's family write songs for Golden Streets of Glory?
Yes. Parton's aunt Dorothy Jo Hope wrote two tracks, "Yes, I See God" and "I'll Keep Climbing." Her maternal grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens, wrote "Book of Life." Owens also provided the album's liner notes, deepening the project's family and faith roots.
Did Golden Streets of Glory chart for Dolly Parton?
Yes. The album reached number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 8 on the Cashbox Country Albums chart. No commercial singles were issued from it, though the title track appeared as a B-side.
Did Golden Streets of Glory win any awards?
Golden Streets of Glory was nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972. It did not win the category, but the nomination marked early recognition of Parton's gospel work.
Are most of the songs on Golden Streets of Glory traditional or original?
Most of the album consists of traditional hymns, standards, and covers rather than Parton originals. Tracks like "How Great Thou Art," "I Believe," and "Wings of a Dove" are established gospel standards, while Parton contributed just three of her own songs to the ten-track set.

Sources