Dolly Parton, Zach Williams Collaborate to Make #1 Hit Christian Song
Dolly Parton tops Christian Charts with Billboard
Country Music star Dolly Parton has partnered with popular Christian Music artist Zach Williams to make a new hit song titled “There Was Jesus,” a song about hope in troubled times and how Jesus is always there, especially when things seem darkest.
According to The Christian Post, the song topped 10.5 million impressions on the Christian airwaves, which put it in the number 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Adult Contemporary chart for the week starting September 6, 2020. The song surpassed “Together” by For King And Country, which had held the number 1 spot for 4 weeks running.
In a statement to Billboard Magazine, Dolly Parton commented “Having a No. 1 record at any time is a great thing, but having a No. 1 faith-based record during these crazy times is even greater. I feel humbled and blessed to be part of this wonderful song with Zach Williams. It does my heart good to know that we have touched the lives of so many people."
The song’s lyrics about Jesus always being there are shown in the powerful bridge and pre-chorus:
There was Jesus / On the mountains / In the valleys / There was Jesus / In the shadows / Of the alleys / There was Jesus / In the fire, in the flood / There was Jesus / Always is and always was, oh / No, I never walk alone / Never walk alone / You're always there.
Songwriters Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith collaborated with Zach Williams to write the song’s powerful lyrics about Jesus always being there in the troubled times. But Zach Williams produced the song. It was written in October and reminds one of a blend of Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin and Dolly Parton’s more traditional country classics.
This isn’t the first song to include secular music stars in recent years. Rapper and world-renowned producer Kanye West recently made a Christian album, titled “Jesus Is King” after vocally expressing his conversion to Christianity.