diff --git a/octodns/record/__init__.py b/octodns/record/__init__.py
index da527eb..31ed400 100644
--- a/octodns/record/__init__.py
+++ b/octodns/record/__init__.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #
 #
 
+from collections import defaultdict
 from ipaddress import IPv4Address as _IPv4Address, IPv6Address as _IPv6Address
 from logging import getLogger
 import re
@@ -67,6 +68,11 @@ class RecordException(Exception):
     pass
 
 
+class RrParseError(RecordException):
+    def __init__(self, message='failed to parse string value as RR text'):
+        super().__init__(message)
+
+
 class ValidationError(RecordException):
     @classmethod
     def build_message(cls, fqdn, reasons):
@@ -79,6 +85,23 @@ class ValidationError(RecordException):
         self.reasons = reasons
 
 
+class Rr(object):
+    '''
+    Simple object intended to be used with Record.from_rrs to allow providers
+    that work with RFC formatted rdata to share centralized parsing/encoding
+    code
+    '''
+
+    def __init__(self, name, _type, ttl, rdata):
+        self.name = name
+        self._type = _type
+        self.ttl = ttl
+        self.rdata = rdata
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return f'Rr<{self.name}, {self._type}, {self.ttl}, {self.rdata}'
+
+
 class Record(EqualityTupleMixin):
     log = getLogger('Record')
 
@@ -166,6 +189,27 @@ class Record(EqualityTupleMixin):
             pass
         return reasons
 
+    @classmethod
+    def from_rrs(cls, zone, rrs, lenient=False):
+        # group records by name & type so that multiple rdatas can be combined
+        # into a single record when needed
+        grouped = defaultdict(list)
+        for rr in rrs:
+            grouped[(rr.name, rr._type)].append(rr)
+
+        records = []
+        # walk the grouped rrs converting each one to data and then create a
+        # record with that data
+        for _, rrs in sorted(grouped.items()):
+            rr = rrs[0]
+            name = zone.hostname_from_fqdn(rr.name)
+            _class = cls._CLASSES[rr._type]
+            data = _class.data_from_rrs(rrs)
+            record = Record.new(zone, name, data, lenient=lenient)
+            records.append(record)
+
+        return records
+
     def __init__(self, zone, name, data, source=None):
         self.zone = zone
         if name:
@@ -337,6 +381,14 @@ class ValuesMixin(object):
 
         return reasons
 
+    @classmethod
+    def data_from_rrs(cls, rrs):
+        # type and TTL come from the first rr
+        rr = rrs[0]
+        # values come from parsing the rdata portion of all rrs
+        values = [cls._value_type.parse_rdata_text(rr.rdata) for rr in rrs]
+        return {'ttl': rr.ttl, 'type': rr._type, 'values': values}
+
     def __init__(self, zone, name, data, source=None):
         super().__init__(zone, name, data, source=source)
         try:
@@ -365,6 +417,15 @@ class ValuesMixin(object):
 
         return ret
 
+    @property
+    def rrs(self):
+        return (
+            self.fqdn,
+            self.ttl,
+            self._type,
+            [v.rdata_text for v in self.values],
+        )
+
     def __repr__(self):
         values = "', '".join([str(v) for v in self.values])
         klass = self.__class__.__name__
@@ -433,6 +494,16 @@ class ValueMixin(object):
         )
         return reasons
 
+    @classmethod
+    def data_from_rrs(cls, rrs):
+        # single value, so single rr only...
+        rr = rrs[0]
+        return {
+            'ttl': rr.ttl,
+            'type': rr._type,
+            'value': cls._value_type.parse_rdata_text(rr.rdata),
+        }
+
     def __init__(self, zone, name, data, source=None):
         super().__init__(zone, name, data, source=source)
         self.value = self._value_type.process(data['value'])
@@ -448,6 +519,10 @@ class ValueMixin(object):
             ret['value'] = getattr(self.value, 'data', self.value)
         return ret
 
+    @property
+    def rrs(self):
+        return self.fqdn, self.ttl, self._type, [self.value.rdata_text]
+
     def __repr__(self):
         klass = self.__class__.__name__
         return f'<{klass} {self._type} {self.ttl}, {self.decoded_fqdn}, {self.value}>'
@@ -785,6 +860,10 @@ class _DynamicMixin(object):
 
 
 class _TargetValue(str):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(self, value):
+        return value
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         reasons = []
@@ -810,6 +889,10 @@ class _TargetValue(str):
         v = idna_encode(v)
         return super().__new__(cls, v)
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return self
+
 
 class CnameValue(_TargetValue):
     pass
@@ -820,6 +903,10 @@ class DnameValue(_TargetValue):
 
 
 class _IpAddress(str):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        return value
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -853,6 +940,10 @@ class _IpAddress(str):
         v = str(cls._address_type(v))
         return super().__new__(cls, v)
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return self
+
 
 class Ipv4Address(_IpAddress):
     _address_type = _IPv4Address
@@ -903,6 +994,18 @@ Record.register_type(AliasRecord)
 class CaaValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     # https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6844#page-5
 
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        try:
+            flags, tag, value = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            flags = int(flags)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {'flags': flags, 'tag': tag, 'value': value}
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -963,6 +1066,10 @@ class CaaValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def data(self):
         return self
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.flags} {self.tag} {self.value}'
+
     def _equality_tuple(self):
         return (self.flags, self.tag, self.value)
 
@@ -1003,7 +1110,85 @@ Record.register_type(DnameRecord)
 
 
 class LocValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
-    # TODO: work out how to do defaults per RFC
+    # TODO: this does not really match the RFC, but it's stuck using the details
+    # of how the type was impelemented. Would be nice to rework things to match
+    # while maintaining backwards compatibility.
+    # https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1876.html
+
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        try:
+            value = value.replace('m', '')
+            (
+                lat_degrees,
+                lat_minutes,
+                lat_seconds,
+                lat_direction,
+                long_degrees,
+                long_minutes,
+                long_seconds,
+                long_direction,
+                altitude,
+                size,
+                precision_horz,
+                precision_vert,
+            ) = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            lat_degrees = int(lat_degrees)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            lat_minutes = int(lat_minutes)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            long_degrees = int(long_degrees)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            long_minutes = int(long_minutes)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            lat_seconds = float(lat_seconds)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            long_seconds = float(long_seconds)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            altitude = float(altitude)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            size = float(size)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            precision_horz = float(precision_horz)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            precision_vert = float(precision_vert)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {
+            'lat_degrees': lat_degrees,
+            'lat_minutes': lat_minutes,
+            'lat_seconds': lat_seconds,
+            'lat_direction': lat_direction,
+            'long_degrees': long_degrees,
+            'long_minutes': long_minutes,
+            'long_seconds': long_seconds,
+            'long_direction': long_direction,
+            'altitude': altitude,
+            'size': size,
+            'precision_horz': precision_horz,
+            'precision_vert': precision_vert,
+        }
 
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
@@ -1218,6 +1403,10 @@ class LocValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def data(self):
         return self
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.lat_degrees} {self.lat_minutes} {self.lat_seconds} {self.lat_direction} {self.long_degrees} {self.long_minutes} {self.long_seconds} {self.long_direction} {self.altitude}m {self.size}m {self.precision_horz}m {self.precision_vert}m'
+
     def __hash__(self):
         return hash(
             (
@@ -1272,6 +1461,18 @@ Record.register_type(LocRecord)
 
 
 class MxValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        try:
+            preference, exchange = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            preference = int(preference)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {'preference': preference, 'exchange': exchange}
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -1347,6 +1548,10 @@ class MxValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def data(self):
         return self
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.preference} {self.exchange}'
+
     def __hash__(self):
         return hash((self.preference, self.exchange))
 
@@ -1368,6 +1573,33 @@ Record.register_type(MxRecord)
 class NaptrValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     VALID_FLAGS = ('S', 'A', 'U', 'P')
 
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        try:
+            (
+                order,
+                preference,
+                flags,
+                service,
+                regexp,
+                replacement,
+            ) = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            order = int(order)
+            preference = int(preference)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {
+            'order': order,
+            'preference': preference,
+            'flags': flags,
+            'service': service,
+            'regexp': regexp,
+            'replacement': replacement,
+        }
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -1468,6 +1700,10 @@ class NaptrValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def data(self):
         return self
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.order} {self.preference} {self.flags} {self.service} {self.regexp} {self.replacement}'
+
     def __hash__(self):
         return hash(self.__repr__())
 
@@ -1500,6 +1736,10 @@ Record.register_type(NaptrRecord)
 
 
 class _NsValue(str):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        return value
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not data:
@@ -1525,6 +1765,10 @@ class _NsValue(str):
         v = idna_encode(v)
         return super().__new__(cls, v)
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return self
+
 
 class NsRecord(ValuesMixin, Record):
     _type = 'NS'
@@ -1574,6 +1818,26 @@ class SshfpValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     VALID_ALGORITHMS = (1, 2, 3, 4)
     VALID_FINGERPRINT_TYPES = (1, 2)
 
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(self, value):
+        try:
+            algorithm, fingerprint_type, fingerprint = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            algorithm = int(algorithm)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            fingerprint_type = int(fingerprint_type)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {
+            'algorithm': algorithm,
+            'fingerprint_type': fingerprint_type,
+            'fingerprint': fingerprint,
+        }
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -1645,6 +1909,10 @@ class SshfpValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def data(self):
         return self
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.algorithm} {self.fingerprint_type} {self.fingerprint}'
+
     def __hash__(self):
         return hash(self.__repr__())
 
@@ -1687,6 +1955,13 @@ class _ChunkedValuesMixin(ValuesMixin):
 class _ChunkedValue(str):
     _unescaped_semicolon_re = re.compile(r'\w;')
 
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(cls, value):
+        try:
+            return value.replace(';', '\\;')
+        except AttributeError:
+            return value
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not data:
@@ -1708,6 +1983,10 @@ class _ChunkedValue(str):
             ret.append(cls(v.replace('" "', '')))
         return ret
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return self
+
 
 class SpfRecord(_ChunkedValuesMixin, Record):
     _type = 'SPF'
@@ -1718,6 +1997,31 @@ Record.register_type(SpfRecord)
 
 
 class SrvValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(self, value):
+        try:
+            priority, weight, port, target = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            priority = int(priority)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            weight = int(weight)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            port = int(port)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {
+            'priority': priority,
+            'weight': weight,
+            'port': port,
+            'target': target,
+        }
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -1840,6 +2144,36 @@ Record.register_type(SrvRecord)
 
 
 class TlsaValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_rdata_text(self, value):
+        try:
+            (
+                certificate_usage,
+                selector,
+                matching_type,
+                certificate_association_data,
+            ) = value.split(' ')
+        except ValueError:
+            raise RrParseError()
+        try:
+            certificate_usage = int(certificate_usage)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            selector = int(selector)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        try:
+            matching_type = int(matching_type)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+        return {
+            'certificate_usage': certificate_usage,
+            'selector': selector,
+            'matching_type': matching_type,
+            'certificate_association_data': certificate_association_data,
+        }
+
     @classmethod
     def validate(cls, data, _type):
         if not isinstance(data, (list, tuple)):
@@ -1932,6 +2266,10 @@ class TlsaValue(EqualityTupleMixin, dict):
     def certificate_association_data(self, value):
         self['certificate_association_data'] = value
 
+    @property
+    def rdata_text(self):
+        return f'{self.certificate_usage} {self.selector} {self.matching_type} {self.certificate_association_data}'
+
     def _equality_tuple(self):
         return (
             self.certificate_usage,
diff --git a/octodns/source/axfr.py b/octodns/source/axfr.py
index e40d7a9..abf3fc8 100644
--- a/octodns/source/axfr.py
+++ b/octodns/source/axfr.py
@@ -9,12 +9,11 @@ import dns.rdatatype
 
 from dns.exception import DNSException
 
-from collections import defaultdict
 from os import listdir
 from os.path import join
 import logging
 
-from ..record import Record
+from ..record import Record, Rr
 from .base import BaseSource
 
 
@@ -42,110 +41,6 @@ class AxfrBaseSource(BaseSource):
     def __init__(self, id):
         super().__init__(id)
 
-    def _data_for_multiple(self, _type, records):
-        return {
-            'ttl': records[0]['ttl'],
-            'type': _type,
-            'values': [r['value'] for r in records],
-        }
-
-    _data_for_A = _data_for_multiple
-    _data_for_AAAA = _data_for_multiple
-    _data_for_NS = _data_for_multiple
-    _data_for_PTR = _data_for_multiple
-
-    def _data_for_CAA(self, _type, records):
-        values = []
-        for record in records:
-            flags, tag, value = record['value'].split(' ', 2)
-            values.append(
-                {'flags': flags, 'tag': tag, 'value': value.replace('"', '')}
-            )
-        return {'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'type': _type, 'values': values}
-
-    def _data_for_LOC(self, _type, records):
-        values = []
-        for record in records:
-            (
-                lat_degrees,
-                lat_minutes,
-                lat_seconds,
-                lat_direction,
-                long_degrees,
-                long_minutes,
-                long_seconds,
-                long_direction,
-                altitude,
-                size,
-                precision_horz,
-                precision_vert,
-            ) = (record['value'].replace('m', '').split(' ', 11))
-            values.append(
-                {
-                    'lat_degrees': lat_degrees,
-                    'lat_minutes': lat_minutes,
-                    'lat_seconds': lat_seconds,
-                    'lat_direction': lat_direction,
-                    'long_degrees': long_degrees,
-                    'long_minutes': long_minutes,
-                    'long_seconds': long_seconds,
-                    'long_direction': long_direction,
-                    'altitude': altitude,
-                    'size': size,
-                    'precision_horz': precision_horz,
-                    'precision_vert': precision_vert,
-                }
-            )
-        return {'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'type': _type, 'values': values}
-
-    def _data_for_MX(self, _type, records):
-        values = []
-        for record in records:
-            preference, exchange = record['value'].split(' ', 1)
-            values.append({'preference': preference, 'exchange': exchange})
-        return {'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'type': _type, 'values': values}
-
-    def _data_for_TXT(self, _type, records):
-        values = [value['value'].replace(';', '\\;') for value in records]
-        return {'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'type': _type, 'values': values}
-
-    _data_for_SPF = _data_for_TXT
-
-    def _data_for_single(self, _type, records):
-        record = records[0]
-        return {'ttl': record['ttl'], 'type': _type, 'value': record['value']}
-
-    _data_for_CNAME = _data_for_single
-
-    def _data_for_SRV(self, _type, records):
-        values = []
-        for record in records:
-            priority, weight, port, target = record['value'].split(' ', 3)
-            values.append(
-                {
-                    'priority': priority,
-                    'weight': weight,
-                    'port': port,
-                    'target': target,
-                }
-            )
-        return {'type': _type, 'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'values': values}
-
-    def _data_for_SSHFP(self, _type, records):
-        values = []
-        for record in records:
-            algorithm, fingerprint_type, fingerprint = record['value'].split(
-                ' ', 2
-            )
-            values.append(
-                {
-                    'algorithm': algorithm,
-                    'fingerprint_type': fingerprint_type,
-                    'fingerprint': fingerprint,
-                }
-            )
-        return {'type': _type, 'ttl': records[0]['ttl'], 'values': values}
-
     def populate(self, zone, target=False, lenient=False):
         self.log.debug(
             'populate: name=%s, target=%s, lenient=%s',
@@ -154,26 +49,10 @@ class AxfrBaseSource(BaseSource):
             lenient,
         )
 
-        values = defaultdict(lambda: defaultdict(list))
-        for record in self.zone_records(zone):
-            _type = record['type']
-            if _type not in self.SUPPORTS:
-                continue
-            name = zone.hostname_from_fqdn(record['name'])
-            values[name][record['type']].append(record)
-
         before = len(zone.records)
-        for name, types in values.items():
-            for _type, records in types.items():
-                data_for = getattr(self, f'_data_for_{_type}')
-                record = Record.new(
-                    zone,
-                    name,
-                    data_for(_type, records),
-                    source=self,
-                    lenient=lenient,
-                )
-                zone.add_record(record, lenient=lenient)
+        rrs = self.zone_records(zone)
+        for record in Record.from_rrs(zone, rrs, lenient=lenient):
+            zone.add_record(record, lenient=lenient)
 
         self.log.info(
             'populate:   found %s records', len(zone.records) - before
@@ -218,14 +97,8 @@ class AxfrSource(AxfrBaseSource):
 
         for (name, ttl, rdata) in z.iterate_rdatas():
             rdtype = dns.rdatatype.to_text(rdata.rdtype)
-            records.append(
-                {
-                    "name": name.to_text(),
-                    "ttl": ttl,
-                    "type": rdtype,
-                    "value": rdata.to_text(),
-                }
-            )
+            if rdtype in self.SUPPORTS:
+                records.append(Rr(name.to_text(), rdtype, ttl, rdata.to_text()))
 
         return records
 
@@ -302,20 +175,17 @@ class ZoneFileSource(AxfrBaseSource):
         if zone.name not in self._zone_records:
             try:
                 z = self._load_zone_file(zone.name)
-                records = []
-                for (name, ttl, rdata) in z.iterate_rdatas():
-                    rdtype = dns.rdatatype.to_text(rdata.rdtype)
+            except ZoneFileSourceNotFound:
+                return []
+
+            records = []
+            for (name, ttl, rdata) in z.iterate_rdatas():
+                rdtype = dns.rdatatype.to_text(rdata.rdtype)
+                if rdtype in self.SUPPORTS:
                     records.append(
-                        {
-                            "name": name.to_text(),
-                            "ttl": ttl,
-                            "type": rdtype,
-                            "value": rdata.to_text(),
-                        }
+                        Rr(name.to_text(), rdtype, ttl, rdata.to_text())
                     )
 
-                self._zone_records[zone.name] = records
-            except ZoneFileSourceNotFound:
-                return []
+            self._zone_records[zone.name] = records
 
         return self._zone_records[zone.name]
diff --git a/tests/test_octodns_manager.py b/tests/test_octodns_manager.py
index abcf9a7..1a36723 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_manager.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_manager.py
@@ -186,6 +186,9 @@ class TestManager(TestCase):
         manager.config['zones'] = manager._config_zones(
             {'déjà.vu.': {}, 'deja.vu.': {}, idna_encode('こんにちは.jp.'): {}}
         )
+        from pprint import pprint
+
+        pprint(manager.config['zones'])
 
         # refer to them with utf-8
         with self.assertRaises(ManagerException) as ctx:
diff --git a/tests/test_octodns_record.py b/tests/test_octodns_record.py
index 8947571..fb9f726 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_record.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_record.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ from octodns.record import (
     PtrRecord,
     Record,
     RecordException,
+    Rr,
+    RrParseError,
     SshfpRecord,
     SshfpValue,
     SpfRecord,
@@ -39,11 +41,13 @@ from octodns.record import (
     UrlfwdRecord,
     UrlfwdValue,
     ValidationError,
+    ValuesMixin,
+    _ChunkedValue,
     _Dynamic,
     _DynamicPool,
     _DynamicRule,
     _NsValue,
-    ValuesMixin,
+    _TargetValue,
 )
 from octodns.zone import Zone
 
@@ -293,6 +297,26 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
 
             DummyRecord().__repr__()
 
+    def test_ip_address_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # anything goes, we're a noop
+        for s in (
+            None,
+            '',
+            'word',
+            42,
+            42.43,
+            '1.2.3',
+            'some.words.that.here',
+            '1.2.word.4',
+            '1.2.3.4',
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual(s, Ipv4Address.parse_rdata_text(s))
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = ARecord(zone, 'a', {'ttl': 42, 'value': '1.2.3.4'})
+        self.assertEqual('1.2.3.4', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_values_mixin_data(self):
         # no values, no value or values in data
         a = ARecord(self.zone, '', {'type': 'A', 'ttl': 600, 'values': []})
@@ -461,6 +485,26 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_target_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # anything goes, we're a noop
+        for s in (
+            None,
+            '',
+            'word',
+            42,
+            42.43,
+            '1.2.3',
+            'some.words.that.here',
+            '1.2.word.4',
+            '1.2.3.4',
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual(s, _TargetValue.parse_rdata_text(s))
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = AliasRecord(zone, 'a', {'ttl': 42, 'value': 'some.target.'})
+        self.assertEqual('some.target.', a.value.rdata_text)
+
     def test_caa(self):
         a_values = [
             CaaValue({'flags': 0, 'tag': 'issue', 'value': 'ca.example.net'}),
@@ -521,6 +565,56 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_caa_value_rdata_text(self):
+        # empty string won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('')
+
+        # single word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('nope')
+
+        # 2nd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('0 tag')
+
+        # 4th word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('1 tag value another')
+
+        # flags not an int, will parse
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {'flags': 'one', 'tag': 'tag', 'value': 'value'},
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('one tag value'),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {'flags': 0, 'tag': 'tag', 'value': '99148c81'},
+            CaaValue.parse_rdata_text('0 tag 99148c81'),
+        )
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = CaaRecord(
+            zone,
+            'caa',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'values': [
+                    {'flags': 1, 'tag': 'tag1', 'value': '99148c81'},
+                    {'flags': 2, 'tag': 'tag2', 'value': '99148c44'},
+                ],
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].flags)
+        self.assertEqual('tag1', a.values[0].tag)
+        self.assertEqual('99148c81', a.values[0].value)
+        self.assertEqual('1 tag1 99148c81', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+        self.assertEqual(2, a.values[1].flags)
+        self.assertEqual('tag2', a.values[1].tag)
+        self.assertEqual('99148c44', a.values[1].value)
+        self.assertEqual('2 tag2 99148c44', a.values[1].rdata_text)
+
     def test_cname(self):
         self.assertSingleValue(CnameRecord, 'target.foo.com.', 'other.foo.com.')
 
@@ -623,6 +717,92 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_loc_value_rdata_text(self):
+        # only the exact correct number of words is allowed
+        for i in tuple(range(0, 12)) + (13,):
+            s = ''.join(['word'] * i)
+            with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+                LocValue.parse_rdata_text(s)
+
+        # type conversions are best effort
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'altitude': 'six',
+                'lat_degrees': 'zero',
+                'lat_direction': 'S',
+                'lat_minutes': 'one',
+                'lat_seconds': 'two',
+                'long_degrees': 'three',
+                'long_direction': 'W',
+                'long_minutes': 'four',
+                'long_seconds': 'five',
+                'precision_horz': 'eight',
+                'precision_vert': 'nine',
+                'size': 'seven',
+            },
+            LocValue.parse_rdata_text(
+                'zero one two S three four five W six seven eight nine'
+            ),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        s = '0 1 2.2 N 3 4 5.5 E 6.6m 7.7m 8.8m 9.9m'
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'altitude': 6.6,
+                'lat_degrees': 0,
+                'lat_direction': 'N',
+                'lat_minutes': 1,
+                'lat_seconds': 2.2,
+                'long_degrees': 3,
+                'long_direction': 'E',
+                'long_minutes': 4,
+                'long_seconds': 5.5,
+                'precision_horz': 8.8,
+                'precision_vert': 9.9,
+                'size': 7.7,
+            },
+            LocValue.parse_rdata_text(s),
+        )
+
+        # make sure that the cstor is using parse_rdata_text
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = LocRecord(
+            zone,
+            'mx',
+            {
+                'type': 'LOC',
+                'ttl': 42,
+                'value': {
+                    'altitude': 6.6,
+                    'lat_degrees': 0,
+                    'lat_direction': 'N',
+                    'lat_minutes': 1,
+                    'lat_seconds': 2.2,
+                    'long_degrees': 3,
+                    'long_direction': 'E',
+                    'long_minutes': 4,
+                    'long_seconds': 5.5,
+                    'precision_horz': 8.8,
+                    'precision_vert': 9.9,
+                    'size': 7.7,
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(0, a.values[0].lat_degrees)
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].lat_minutes)
+        self.assertEqual(2.2, a.values[0].lat_seconds)
+        self.assertEqual('N', a.values[0].lat_direction)
+        self.assertEqual(3, a.values[0].long_degrees)
+        self.assertEqual(4, a.values[0].long_minutes)
+        self.assertEqual(5.5, a.values[0].long_seconds)
+        self.assertEqual('E', a.values[0].long_direction)
+        self.assertEqual(6.6, a.values[0].altitude)
+        self.assertEqual(7.7, a.values[0].size)
+        self.assertEqual(8.8, a.values[0].precision_horz)
+        self.assertEqual(9.9, a.values[0].precision_vert)
+        self.assertEqual(s, a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_mx(self):
         a_values = [
             MxValue({'preference': 10, 'exchange': 'smtp1.'}),
@@ -674,6 +854,51 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_mx_value_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # empty string won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            MxValue.parse_rdata_text('')
+
+        # single word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            MxValue.parse_rdata_text('nope')
+
+        # 3rd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            MxValue.parse_rdata_text('10 mx.unit.tests. another')
+
+        # preference not an int
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {'preference': 'abc', 'exchange': 'mx.unit.tests.'},
+            MxValue.parse_rdata_text('abc mx.unit.tests.'),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {'preference': 10, 'exchange': 'mx.unit.tests.'},
+            MxValue.parse_rdata_text('10 mx.unit.tests.'),
+        )
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = MxRecord(
+            zone,
+            'mx',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'values': [
+                    {'preference': 11, 'exchange': 'mail1.unit.tests.'},
+                    {'preference': 12, 'exchange': 'mail2.unit.tests.'},
+                ],
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(11, a.values[0].preference)
+        self.assertEqual('mail1.unit.tests.', a.values[0].exchange)
+        self.assertEqual('11 mail1.unit.tests.', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+        self.assertEqual(12, a.values[1].preference)
+        self.assertEqual('mail2.unit.tests.', a.values[1].exchange)
+        self.assertEqual('12 mail2.unit.tests.', a.values[1].rdata_text)
+
     def test_naptr(self):
         a_values = [
             NaptrValue(
@@ -964,6 +1189,72 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         o.replacement = '1'
         self.assertEqual('1', o.replacement)
 
+    def test_naptr_value_rdata_text(self):
+        # things with the wrong number of words won't parse
+        for v in (
+            '',
+            'one',
+            'one two',
+            'one two three',
+            'one two three four',
+            'one two three four five',
+            'one two three four five six seven',
+        ):
+            with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+                NaptrValue.parse_rdata_text(v)
+
+        # we don't care if the types of things are correct when parsing rr text
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'order': 'one',
+                'preference': 'two',
+                'flags': 'three',
+                'service': 'four',
+                'regexp': 'five',
+                'replacement': 'six',
+            },
+            NaptrValue.parse_rdata_text('one two three four five six'),
+        )
+
+        # order and preference will be converted to int's when possible
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'order': 1,
+                'preference': 2,
+                'flags': 'three',
+                'service': 'four',
+                'regexp': 'five',
+                'replacement': 'six',
+            },
+            NaptrValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 three four five six'),
+        )
+
+        # make sure that the cstor is using parse_rdata_text
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = NaptrRecord(
+            zone,
+            'naptr',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'value': {
+                    'order': 1,
+                    'preference': 2,
+                    'flags': 'S',
+                    'service': 'service',
+                    'regexp': 'regexp',
+                    'replacement': 'replacement',
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].order)
+        self.assertEqual(2, a.values[0].preference)
+        self.assertEqual('S', a.values[0].flags)
+        self.assertEqual('service', a.values[0].service)
+        self.assertEqual('regexp', a.values[0].regexp)
+        self.assertEqual('replacement', a.values[0].replacement)
+        s = '1 2 S service regexp replacement'
+        self.assertEqual(s, a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_ns(self):
         a_values = ['5.6.7.8.', '6.7.8.9.', '7.8.9.0.']
         a_data = {'ttl': 30, 'values': a_values}
@@ -980,6 +1271,25 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual([b_value], b.values)
         self.assertEqual(b_data, b.data)
 
+    def test_ns_value_rdata_text(self):
+        # anything goes, we're a noop
+        for s in (
+            None,
+            '',
+            'word',
+            42,
+            42.43,
+            '1.2.3',
+            'some.words.that.here',
+            '1.2.word.4',
+            '1.2.3.4',
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual(s, _NsValue.parse_rdata_text(s))
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = NsRecord(zone, 'a', {'ttl': 42, 'value': 'some.target.'})
+        self.assertEqual('some.target.', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_sshfp(self):
         a_values = [
             SshfpValue(
@@ -1048,11 +1358,85 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_sshfp_value_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # empty string won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SshfpValue.parse_rdata_text('')
+
+        # single word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SshfpValue.parse_rdata_text('nope')
+
+        # 3rd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SshfpValue.parse_rdata_text('0 1 00479b27 another')
+
+        # algorithm and fingerprint_type not ints
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'algorithm': 'one',
+                'fingerprint_type': 'two',
+                'fingerprint': '00479b27',
+            },
+            SshfpValue.parse_rdata_text('one two 00479b27'),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {'algorithm': 1, 'fingerprint_type': 2, 'fingerprint': '00479b27'},
+            SshfpValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 00479b27'),
+        )
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = SshfpRecord(
+            zone,
+            'sshfp',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'value': {
+                    'algorithm': 1,
+                    'fingerprint_type': 2,
+                    'fingerprint': '00479b27',
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].algorithm)
+        self.assertEqual(2, a.values[0].fingerprint_type)
+        self.assertEqual('00479b27', a.values[0].fingerprint)
+        self.assertEqual('1 2 00479b27', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_spf(self):
         a_values = ['spf1 -all', 'spf1 -hrm']
         b_value = 'spf1 -other'
         self.assertMultipleValues(SpfRecord, a_values, b_value)
 
+    def test_chunked_value_rdata_text(self):
+        for s in (
+            None,
+            '',
+            'word',
+            42,
+            42.43,
+            '1.2.3',
+            'some.words.that.here',
+            '1.2.word.4',
+            '1.2.3.4',
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual(s, _ChunkedValue.parse_rdata_text(s))
+
+        # semi-colons are escaped
+        self.assertEqual(
+            'Hello\\; World!', _ChunkedValue.parse_rdata_text('Hello; World!')
+        )
+
+        # since we're always a string validate and __init__ don't
+        # parse_rdata_text
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = SpfRecord(zone, 'a', {'ttl': 42, 'value': 'some.target.'})
+        self.assertEqual('some.target.', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_srv(self):
         a_values = [
             SrvValue(
@@ -1117,6 +1501,69 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_srv_value_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # empty string won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('')
+
+        # single word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('nope')
+
+        # 2nd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2')
+
+        # 3rd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3')
+
+        # 5th word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3 4 5')
+
+        # priority weight and port not ints
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'priority': 'one',
+                'weight': 'two',
+                'port': 'three',
+                'target': 'srv.unit.tests.',
+            },
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('one two three srv.unit.tests.'),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'priority': 1,
+                'weight': 2,
+                'port': 3,
+                'target': 'srv.unit.tests.',
+            },
+            SrvValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3 srv.unit.tests.'),
+        )
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = SrvRecord(
+            zone,
+            '_srv._tcp',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'value': {
+                    'priority': 1,
+                    'weight': 2,
+                    'port': 3,
+                    'target': 'srv.unit.tests.',
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].priority)
+        self.assertEqual(2, a.values[0].weight)
+        self.assertEqual(3, a.values[0].port)
+        self.assertEqual('srv.unit.tests.', a.values[0].target)
+
     def test_tlsa(self):
         a_values = [
             TlsaValue(
@@ -1218,6 +1665,70 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         # __repr__ doesn't blow up
         a.__repr__()
 
+    def test_tsla_value_rdata_text(self):
+
+        # empty string won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('')
+
+        # single word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('nope')
+
+        # 2nd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2')
+
+        # 3rd word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3')
+
+        # 5th word won't parse
+        with self.assertRaises(RrParseError):
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3 abcd another')
+
+        # non-ints
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'certificate_usage': 'one',
+                'selector': 'two',
+                'matching_type': 'three',
+                'certificate_association_data': 'abcd',
+            },
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('one two three abcd'),
+        )
+
+        # valid
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {
+                'certificate_usage': 1,
+                'selector': 2,
+                'matching_type': 3,
+                'certificate_association_data': 'abcd',
+            },
+            TlsaValue.parse_rdata_text('1 2 3 abcd'),
+        )
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        a = TlsaRecord(
+            zone,
+            'tlsa',
+            {
+                'ttl': 32,
+                'value': {
+                    'certificate_usage': 2,
+                    'selector': 1,
+                    'matching_type': 0,
+                    'certificate_association_data': 'abcd',
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(2, a.values[0].certificate_usage)
+        self.assertEqual(1, a.values[0].selector)
+        self.assertEqual(0, a.values[0].matching_type)
+        self.assertEqual('abcd', a.values[0].certificate_association_data)
+        self.assertEqual('2 1 0 abcd', a.values[0].rdata_text)
+
     def test_txt(self):
         a_values = ['a one', 'a two']
         b_value = 'b other'
@@ -2026,6 +2537,30 @@ class TestRecord(TestCase):
         values.add(b)
         self.assertTrue(b in values)
 
+    def test_rr(self):
+        # nothing much to test, just make sure that things don't blow up
+        Rr('name', 'type', 42, 'Hello World!').__repr__()
+
+        zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])
+        record = Record.new(
+            zone,
+            'a',
+            {'ttl': 42, 'type': 'A', 'values': ['1.2.3.4', '2.3.4.5']},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            ('a.unit.tests.', 42, 'A', ['1.2.3.4', '2.3.4.5']), record.rrs
+        )
+
+        record = Record.new(
+            zone,
+            'cname',
+            {'ttl': 43, 'type': 'CNAME', 'value': 'target.unit.tests.'},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            ('cname.unit.tests.', 43, 'CNAME', ['target.unit.tests.']),
+            record.rrs,
+        )
+
 
 class TestRecordValidation(TestCase):
     zone = Zone('unit.tests.', [])