‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ by Dolly Parton ft. Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire - Lyrics & Meaning
By Caitlin Hall
Link copied
Everything you need to know about Dolly Parton’s enduring anthem of resilience, reimagined in 2025 with Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah.
- Song Light of a Clear Blue Morning
- Lyrics“You know, we're livin' in troubled and uncertain times
Yeah, we sure are
But we can't let the darkness win
It's time to wake up
Yes, 'cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Can you?... - Artist(s)
- Released January 16, 2026
- Label Butterfly Records
- Songwriter(s)
- Producer(s) Kent Wells
The Background
First released in 1977 on New Harvest…First Gathering, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ has long stood as one of Dolly Parton’s quietest triumphs; not flashy, not dramatic, but deeply steady.
Written during a period of massive personal and professional transition, the song emerged as Parton was stepping away from her partnership with Porter Wagoner and into her own independence.
At the time, the move was risky. Dolly has spoken often about the fear and uncertainty that came with choosing herself, choosing freedom, and choosing growth when staying put would’ve been easier. ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ wasn’t written as a victory lap, it was written in the middle of the storm, as a reminder that clarity eventually comes.
Nearly five decades later, Parton is revisiting the song with a powerful group of collaborators across generations and genres. Featuring Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah, the new rendition reframes the song not as a solo declaration, but as a shared testimony; women standing together in belief that the other side of hardship is real.
The Sound
The 2026 rendition stays true to the pared-down composition of the 1977 original, with the atmospheric, piano-driven backing allowing the focus to land firmly on the message of the lyrics. Despite featuring five voices, the recording doesn't sound cluttered or overcrowded, with each artist's vocals distinct from one another.
It also doesn't come across as a competition as to who sounds the best - each artist on this track is simply there to deliver the powerful, uplifting words of encouragement to the listener. The rousing instrumental swells as the song grows in intensity, with each artist offering harmonies and ad-libs to enhance the emotionality.
The track concludes with a galvanising gang vocal and a backing choir, completing the transition from the hesitant hope of the introduction to an ambience of confident trust that, as Parton outlines throughout, “everything's gonna be okay”.
The Meaning
At its core, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ is about faith; not necessarily religious faith, but faith in forward motion. The song speaks to the liminal space between struggle and relief, when nothing has changed yet, but you can finally feel that it will.
Parton has described the song as coming from a place of deep uncertainty, where she didn’t yet know how things would turn out, only that she had to keep going. That’s what gives the song its power. It doesn’t promise instant healing or easy answers. Instead, it offers patience, reassurance, and trust in time.
The “clear blue morning” isn’t the moment everything gets fixed; it’s the moment you realize the darkness won’t last forever. It’s hope without spectacle. Optimism without denial.
In the context of this new collaboration, the song’s meaning widens. Each featured artist brings her own lived experience of reinvention, resilience, and survival. Together, their voices echo the song’s original message: that no matter how long the night stretches, morning still comes.
There’s also something quietly radical about Dolly choosing to re-release this song now. In a world that feels perpetually heavy, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ doesn’t shout or demand attention. It simply reminds us that endurance is an act of courage - and sometimes, believing in tomorrow is enough.
For the full lyrics to ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ (2026 Version), see below:
“You know, we're livin' in troubled and uncertain times
Yeah, we sure are
But we can't let the darkness win
It's time to wake up
Yes, 'cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Can you?
-
It's been a long dark night
And I've been waiting for the morning
It's been a long hard fight
But I see a brand new day a dawning
I've been looking for the sunshine
You know I ain't seen it in so long
But everything's gonna work out just fine
And everything's gonna be all right
That's been all wrong
-
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day (I can see the light)
I can see the light of a clear blue morning (Morning)
Everything's gonna bе all right
It's gonna be okay (Mmh, mmh)
-
It's been a long, long time (Ah-ah)
Since I'vе known the taste of freedom
And those clinging vines (Mm-mm)
That had me bound, well, I don't need 'em (No, oh)
I've been like a captured eagle (A captured eagle)
You know an eagle's born to fly (Fly)
Now that I have won my freedom (So free, so free)
Ooh, like an eagle, I am eager for the sky
Everybody sing it
-
I can see the light of a clear blue morning (I can see the light; I can see)
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning (It's gonna be alright)
Everything's gonna be all right
It's gonna be okay
'Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning (I can see the light, I can see the light)
I can see the light of a brand new day (Day; I can see)
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Everything's gonna be all right, it's gonna be ok
-
Everything's gonna be all right, it's gonna be ok
Mm-mm, mm, mm-mm”
For more on Dolly Parton, see below:
READ MORE:
