“Dagger Through the Heart”

Composed by Dolly Parton

1 version

4:25

Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton album

The Acoustic Collection: 1999-2002 compilation album

Lyrics

(Source: as heard)

	Oh, you're out there tonight with another,
	And my pain is so dreadfully sharp.
	I picture you with her, and shudder.
	It's like a dagger through the heart.

	Do you think that my feelings don't matter?
	Or your cheating or hurtful remarks
	When you leave me all broken and shattered?
	It's like a dagger through the heart.

	Oh, I know I'm a fool to keep staying,
	When you've made hurting me such an art,
	Tossed around like a used box of crayons.
	It's like a dagger through the heart.

	Oh, you've cut me to pieces so often,
	Like a knife or a poisonous dart,
	I would be better off in my coffin, oh .
	It's like a dagger through the heart.

	Oh, I know I'm a fool to keep staying,
	When you've made hurting me such an art,
	Tossed around like a used box of crayons.
	It's like a dagger through the heart,
	It's like a dagger through the heart,
	Through the heart.

Notes

Liner notes

This is the most recent of Dolly's songs to appear on the project, coming from the 2002 album, Halos and Horns. Sinéad says that she was drawn to the "anger of the lyric" and wanted, as she said, an "old time feel." Her vocal session in Dublin was amazing in its intensity and artistry. As a side note, Dolly did a video of her own version of "Dagger Through the Heart" and said she was inspired by Sinéad's 1990 video of "Nothing Compares 2 U." After Sinéad had chosen "Dagger Through the Heart" to record, she was floored to learn that Dolly had been influenced by her video.

Steve Buckingham (Source: Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton)

On February 19th, 2021, Sinéad tweeted a copy of a letter she received from Dolly Parton about this cover version, which reads:

June 25, 2003

Dear Sinéad,

Well, I have always loved you anyhow, but now I love you more. I absolutely love how you sang "Dagger Through the Heart". Man alive, I feel that through and through.

Thank you for being a part of this special project and for giving so generously of yourself and your talent.

Love,

Dolly

Musicians

Source: Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton

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