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Dolly Parton’s singing brings Stephen Colbert to tears on 'The Late Show'

While reminiscing about how her mother used to sing around the house, Dolly Parton broke into a beautiful rendition of “Bury Me Beneath the Willow,” which proved too much for Colbert. It wasn’t long after she started that Colbert could be seen telling someone offscreen that he had goosebumps, and the next time we saw him he was wiping tears from his eyes. Parton eventually stopped, saying, “So I better hush before you cry yourself to death and we can’t finish the show.” Colbert laughed as he continued to wipe away tears and replied, “Like a lot of Americans, I’m under a lot of stress right now, Dolly.”

Video Transcript

DOLLY PARTON: (SINGING) He cares no more for me.

And then it goes-- are you crying?

(SINGING) Oh, bury me beneath the willow, under the weeping willow tree.

KYLIE MAR: Dolly Parton appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" Tuesday night to promote her new book "Songteller" and her new album "Holly Dolly Christmas." Parton and reminisced about her mom singing around the house and began to sing "Bury Me Beneath the Willow." And it was just too much for Colbert.

DOLLY PARTON: (SINGING) Perhaps he'll weep for me.

So I better hush before you cry yourself to death and we can't finish the show.

[LAUGHTER]

STEPHEN COLBERT: I have to say, like a lot of Americans, I'm under a lot of stress right now, Dolly.

DOLLY PARTON: I know you're not really crying.

STEPHEN COLBERT: You got my trip wire right there, I'll tell you right there. That was pretty beautiful.

KYLIE MAR: And that turned out to be a therapeutic moment for Colbert.

STEPHEN COLBERT: You know, isn't it funny that sometimes there's nothing happier than a cry? Isn't that--

DOLLY PARTON: Yeah, I think it cleanses your soul. I think water is good to wash it out.

STEPHEN COLBERT: Yep.