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Album cover. RCA Victor (LSP-4398) (1971)
The Golden Streets of Glory is the sixth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on February 15, 1971, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. No singles were released from the album, but the title track was issued as the B-side to the non-album single "Comin' for to Carry Me Home", which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. ​The album was nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards.

Track listing

Side 1
  1. I Believe (Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl, Al Stillman) 2:15
  2. Yes I See God (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:11
  3. The Master's Hand (Dolly Parton) 2:36
  4. Heaven's Just a Prayer Away (Tommy Tomlinson) 2:41
  5. Golden Streets of Glory (Dolly Parton) 2:50
Side 2
  1. How Great Thou Art* (Stuart K. Hine) 3:27
  2. I'll Keep Climbing (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:36
  3. Book of Life (Jake R. Owens) 1:42
  4. Wings of a Dove (Bob Ferguson) 2:31
  5. Lord Hold My Hand (Dolly Parton, Ginny Dean) 2:00

*Previously released on the 1970 compilation album, ​The Best of Dolly Parton.
Letter to Heaven: Songs of Faith & Inspiration (2010) bonus tracks
    11.   Would You Know Him (If You Saw Him)* (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:53
    12.   Comin' for to Carry Me Home (Traditional, arr. by Dolly Parton) 3:02
    13.   Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man   Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Hope) 3:03
    14.   God's Coloring Book (Dolly Parton) 2:17
    15.   Letter to Heaven (Dolly Parton) 2:26
    16.   Sacred Memories (Dolly Parton) 2:43
    17.   The Seeker (Dolly Parton) 3:14

*Previously unreleased.
1993 CD reissue and I Believe (1997) track listing
  1. I Believe (Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl, Al Stillman) 2:15
  2. Yes I See God (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:11
  3. The Master's Hand (Dolly Parton) 2:36
  4. Heaven's Just a Prayer Away (Tommy Tomlinson) 2:41
  5. Golden Streets of Glory (Dolly Parton) 2:50
  6. How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine) 3:27
  7. I'll Keep Climbing (Dorothy Jo Hope) 2:36
  8. Book of Life (Jake R. Owens) 1:42​
  9. Wings of a Dove (Bob Ferguson) 2:31
  10. Lord Hold My Hand (Dolly Parton, Ginny Dean) 2:00

Recording

​Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 11, 12 and 13, 1970.
May 11, 1970
  • Golden Streets of Glory
  • Wings of a Dove
May 12, 1970
  • The Master's Hand
  • How Great Thou Art
  • I'll Keep Climbing
  • Heaven's Just a Prayer Away
May 13, 1970
  • Yes I See God
  • Book of Life
  • I Believe
  • Lord Hold My Hand

Release

​The album was released February 15, 1971, on LP and 8-track.

Critical reception

​The review published in the February 27, 1971 issue of Billboard said, "Sacred music is an essential part of the country field, and with this album Dolly Parton shows her knowledge of this material. Her vocals are full of sincerity and include such standards as "How Great Thou Art", "Wings of a Dove", and "I Believe"."

Cashbox published a review in the issue dated February 13, which said, "There has always been a tremendous similarity between country music and gospel music, and with this album, Dolly Parton closes the gap. Already one of the top female vocalists in her field, this new LP will practically immortalize her. It is honest, sincere, direct, and religious–all in one. "I Believe", "Yes, I See God", "Heaven's Just a Prayer Away", "Book of Life", "Lord, Hold My Hand", and "Wings of a Dove", are only a sampling of the selections that will make this new Dolly Parton album one of the all time best sellers."

​AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars.
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Billboard review, February 27, 1971.
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Cashbox review, February 13, 1971.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 33 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated March 13, 1971. It peaked at number 22 on the chart dated April 10, its fifth week on the chart. The album charted for a total of eight weeks.

Accolades

​The album was nominated for Best Sacred Performance at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2010 CD, Letter to Heaven: Songs of Faith & Inspiration.

Original album

  • Joe Babcock – background vocals
  • Jerry Carrigan – drums
  • Pete Drake – steel guitar
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Dolores Edgin – background vocals
  • ​Bob Ferguson – producer
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • Les Leverett – cover photo
  • Mack Magaha – fiddle
  • George McCormick – guitar
  • Sonja Montomgery – background vocals
  • ​Rev. Jake Owens – liner notes
  • Al Pachucki – recording engineer​
  • June Page – background vocals
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
  • Dale Sellers – guitar
  • Roy Shockley – recording technician
  • Jerry Smith – organ
  • Jerry Stembridge (Chip Young) – guitar
  • Buck Trent – banjo
  • Hurshel Wiginton – background vocals

Letter to Heaven: Songs of Faith & Inspiration (2010) bonus tracks

  • Joe Babcock – background vocals
  • David Briggs – piano
  • Jimmy Capps – guitar
  • Jerry Carrigan – drums
  • Jimmy Colvard – guitar
  • Pete Drake – steel guitar
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Dolores Edgin – background vocals
  • Bob Ferguson – producer
  • D.J. Fontana – drums
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • John Hughey – steel guitar
  • Dave Kirby – guitar
  • The Lea Jane Singers– background vocals
  • Mack Magaha – fiddle
  • George McCormick – guitar
  • Charlie McCoy – harmonica
  • Bill McElhiney – orchestration
  • Sonja Montgomery – background vocals
  • Bruce Osborn – guitar
  • June Page – background vocals
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
  • Dale Sellers – guitar
  • Jerry Shook – guitar
  • Jerry Smith – organ
  • Buddy Spicher – fiddle
  • Jerry Stembridge (Chip Young) – guitar
  • Bobby Thompson – guitar
  • Buck Trent – banjo
  • Porter Wagoner – lead vocals, producer, arrangement
  • Don Warden – dobro
  • Hurshel Wiginton – background vocals