Stephen Colbert Literally Cried During Dolly Parton’s Interview

Stephen Colbert was caught off guard when Dolly Parton sang in the middle of their interview, and it was gorgeous.

During the interview, the country legend reflected on folk songs her mother, Avie Lee, used to sing to her as a child.

She briefly sang portions of one tragic song titled “Bury Me Beneath the Willow,” bringing tears to Stephen’s eyes. He later admitted he had “goosebumps” while Dolly continued singing.

“I better hush before you cry yourself to death and we can’t finish the show,” she joked, to which he said with a laugh: “Like a lot of Americans, I’m under a lot of stress right now, Dolly!”

This was really sweet. Watch for yourself: