The iconic singer’s last recorded vocals have been released on “Torn,” the final track on U2‘s just-released album “Carnaval de Luz.”
On the song, Parton and Bono sing about what seems to be a metaphor for our country’s politically divided landscape, with Parton at one point delivering, “Nothing hurts a mother more than a family at war.”
Parton died of cancer on Aug. 25 at 80 years old.
Listen to “Torn” and read the lyrics below.
I can’t deny this passion and desire
But I know it has to burn me standing this close to the fire
What am I supposed to do? And how am I supposed to choose?
I love ’em both and I just feel so torn
I love ’em both and I just feel so torn
The glass that frames the picture cracked like ice
The photograph remembers all that we now deny
When halfway seems too far to meet, and across the table too hard to reach
Apples falling from the same tree can roll
Torn apart these loving hearts
That beat and break the same
We share a house divided
And the blood that fills our veins
Brothers turn to strangers
And sons deny their name
Somebody loses either way
And every heart is torn
Ah, oh
Ah, oh
Torn, torn, torn, torn (Torn, torn)
Every heart is torn
Hands that used to hold you clenched in fists
Words that used to soothe you cut you into bits
Are you your brother’s keeper now? Or know what you’re fighting for?
Nothing hurts a mother more than a family at war
Torn apart these loving hearts
That beat and break the same
We share a house divided
And the blood that fills our veins
When brothers turn to strangers
And can’t feel each other’s pain
Somebody loses either way
And every heart is torn
Mm-mm, ah, oh
Torn (Torn), torn (Torn), torn (Torn), torn (Torn)
Every heart is torn
Hey, na-na-na-na (Oh)
Yeah (Every heart is torn)
Torn (Torn), torn (Torn)
Every heart is torn
Mm-mm
