Tanya Tucker is a renowned country singer who began her music career at a very young age. She gained fame at the age of 13 with her hit song Delta Dawn.

Over the years, she has released numerous popular albums and singles that have established her as a prominent figure in the country music genre. She is renowned for her powerful voice and heartfelt songs.

She has won several important awards, including the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year and multiple Academy of Country Music awards.

Her long career and many hits have earned her a special place in country music history.

About the Song

Delta Dawn is a country song about a woman waiting for a lost love. Tanya Tucker’s version made her famous as a young singer.

The song tells a story and became a big hit in the early 1970s. The lyrics describe a woman who still believes a man from her past will return, revealing her enduring hope and memories.

Complete Lyrics of Delta Dawn

Intro

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin’ you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Verse

She’s forty-one, and her daddy still calls her baby
All the folks around Brownsville say she’s crazy
‘Cause she walks downtown with her suitcase in her hand
Looking for a mysterious dark haired man
In her younger days, they called her Delta Dawn
Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on
Then a man of low degree stood by her side
Promised her he’d take her for his bride

Chorus

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin’ you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Bridge

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin’ you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Chorus

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin’ you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?
Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin’ you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Live Performance of Delta Dawn from The CMA Awards

Artists Who Recorded It

Several Artists Have Officially Recorded the Song Delta Dawn. Some of The Notable Official Recordings Include:

1. Helen Reddy

Chorus

Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?

Verse 1

She’s Forty-One and Her Daddy Still Calls Her Baby
All the Folks ’round Brownsville Say She’s Crazy
’cause She Walks Downtown with Her Suitcase in Her Hand
Lookin’ for A Mysterious Dark-Haired Man

Verse 2

In Her Younger Days, They Called Her Delta Dawn
Prettiest Woman You Ever Laid Eyes On
Then a Man of Low Degree Stood by Her Side
Promised Her He’d Take Her for His Bride

Chorus

Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?

Bridge

Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?

Chorus

Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?
Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?

Outro

Delta Dawn, What’s that Flower You Have On
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say He Was A-Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky?

2. Alex Harvey

She’s Forty-One
And Her Daddy Still Calls Her Baby
All the Folks Round Brownsville Say She’s Crazy
Cause She Walks Downtown
With Her Suitcase in Her Hand
Looking for A Mysterious Dark Haired Man

In Her Younger Days
They Called Her Delta Dawn
Prettiest Woman You Ever Laid Eyes On
Then a Man of Low Degree
Stood by Her Side
Promised Her He’d Take Her for His Bride

Delta Dawn
What’s that Flower You Have On?
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say
He Was Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky

Delta Dawn
What’s that Flower You Have On?
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say
He Was Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky

Delta Dawn
What’s that Flower You Have On?
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say
He Was Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky

Delta Dawn
What’s that Flower You Have On?
Could It Be a Faded Rose from Days Gone By?
And Did I Hear You Say
He Was Meeting You Here Today
To Take You to His Mansion in The Sky

3. Bette Midler

She was forty-one and her daddy still called her baby
Everyone in Brownsville thinks she’s crazy
’cause she walks to the station with a suitcase in her hand
And she’s looking for a mysterious dark-haired man

In her younger days they called her Delta Dawn
Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on
But a man of low degree stood by her side
And he promised he would take her for his bride

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Did I hear you say he was meeting you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you got on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Did I hear you say he was meeting you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky?

Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you got on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Did I hear you say he was meeting you right here today?
He’s gonna take you to his mansion in the sky

Delta Dawn, oh, what is that flower that you’ve got on?
Could it be, could it be just a faded rose from one of those days gone by?
Well, did I hear you say
That he was gonna meet you right here, right here today?
He’s gonna take you to his mansion in the sky
To take you to his mansion in the sky

He’s gonna take you, he’s gonna take you
Oh, he’s gonna take you and you and you and you
Oh, gonna take you, take you to that mansion
He’s got to, gonna take you to that mansion
He’s gonna take you and you and you and you
Oh, you and you and you
Take you to his mansion in the sky

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
Gonna take you. Oh, oh
He’s gonna take you, gonna take you
He’s gonna, he’s gonna take you to that mansion
He’s gonna take you and you and you, oh.

Inspiration and Background Story

Delta Dawn became Tanya Tucker’s breakout song when she recorded it at just 13 years old. Originally written by Larry Collins and Alex, it was Tucker’s strong and confident voice that gave it new life.

Producer Billy Sherrill chose the song for her, seeing her potential to handle serious material.

Tanya didn’t write the song, but her version stood out because of how bold and clear she sounded, helping launch her into stardom in country music.

Themes and Meaning

Delta Dawn delivers simple but powerful ideas. The song tells the story of a woman who still waits for someone from her past.

She believes he will come back, even when others doubt it. This reveals her strong hope, and perhaps her sadness as well. It also shows how people are judged when they cling to old memories.

The song prompts listeners to reflect on unfulfilled promises, the passage of time, and how the past can linger on in someone’s life.

Tanya Tucker’s young voice added a sharp contrast to the story of an older woman, making the message stand out even more.

Award for the Song

Similar Songs Like Delta Dawn

If you enjoy Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker, other great songs by her also tell strong stories.

• What’s Your Mama’s Name: This song begins with a question and tells a sad story about a man looking for his lost daughter over time.
• Blood Red and Goin’ Down: It begins with a climatic moment, as a young girl witnesses a serious event unfolding. The lyrics are bold and intense.
• Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone): A soft and serious love song that asks questions about trust and devotion, showing another emotional side of Tanya’s voice.

Similar Artists Like Tanya Tucker

Tanya Tucker’s style and storytelling are similar to these country artists with strong voices and hits:

• Loretta Lynn
  Genre: Country
  Top Albums: Coal Miner’s Daughter (1970), You Ain’t Woman Enough (1966)
• Reba McEntire
  Genre: Country
  Top Albums: For My Broken Heart (1991), Rumor Has It (1990)
• Dolly Parton
  Genre: Country
  Top Albums: Jolene (1974), Coat of Many Colors (1971)
• Patty Loveless
  Genre: Country
  Top Albums: When Fallen Angels Fly (1994), Honky Tonk Angel (1988)
• Crystal Gayle
  Genre: Country
  Top Albums: We Must Believe in Magic (1977), Crystal (1976)

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Tanya Tucker’s Age Affect Her Performance?

Tanya’s young age made her version stand out, showing strong feelings beyond her years and gaining early attention.

What Makes this Song’s Story Unique in Country Music?

It tells a simple but powerful tale of hope and waiting, unlike many typical love songs.

Why do Many Listeners Feel Connected to the Main Character?

Her mix of hope and sadness resonates with listeners who understand the struggle of holding on to past promises.