1. “He’s Alive” Live Performance at the 1990 Dove Awards

Dolly Parton performed “He’s Alive” at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards, an annual celebration honoring the best in Christian and gospel music. Written by Don Francisco, the song tells the story of the Resurrection through Peter’s eyes, moving from grief and guilt to the incredible realization that Jesus has risen.

Dolly’s performance starts simply and builds until she’s joined by a gospel choir for the powerful finale. It’s a performance that can still give you chills more than three decades later.

2. “There Was Jesus” with Zach Williams at the 2019 CMA Awards

In 2019, Dolly Parton joined Christian artist Zach Williams at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards to perform their duet “There Was Jesus.” Featured on Williams’ album Rescue Story, the song looks back on life’s hardest and loneliest moments with the realization that Jesus was there all along.

With Williams’ gritty vocals and Dolly’s unmistakable voice, their live performance brought an openly Christian message to one of country music’s biggest stages—and made for one of the night’s most moving moments.

3. Dolly Parton & Friends Bring Gospel Power to “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”

“Light of a Clear Blue Morning” isn’t specifically a Christian song, but its message of coming through darkness and believing that brighter days are ahead gives it the feel of a gospel anthem. Dolly originally wrote the song during a major turning point in her life, and its soaring melody can easily become a prayer of hope for anyone walking through a difficult season.

This newer version brings together Dolly with Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Queen Latifah—and by the time the Christ Church Choir joins in at the end, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve been taken to church.

4. “He’s Everything": Dolly Parton’s Gospel Finale from Joyful Noise

The 2012 movie Joyful Noise stars Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah as two strong-willed women trying to lead their small-town church choir to victory in a national gospel competition. Dolly wrote three original songs for the movie, including “He’s Everything,” the big, joyful gospel number that closes the film.

Dolly gets her own moment in the song, singing about a God who brings hope, heals broken hearts, and restores us when we fall apart. Then the whole choir joins in, turning the finale into exactly what the movie’s title promises: one enormous, exuberant joyful noise.

5. Dolly Parton Brings Her Mountain-Gospel Roots to “Amazing Grace”

Few Christian songs are as beloved as “Amazing Grace,” and Dolly Parton’s unmistakable voice feels right at home with the centuries-old hymn. Her rendition brings a warm country-gospel sound to its simple message of grace, redemption, and being found when we were lost. It’s Dolly at her most stripped-down and heartfelt—and a beautiful reminder of why this hymn has endured for generations.

6. “Shine” Rock Song Becomes a Bluegrass Gospel Anthem

Dolly Parton took Collective Soul’s 1990s rock hit “Shine” and transformed it into something that sounds surprisingly at home in a Sunday morning service. Her bluegrass version leans into the spiritual longing already present in the song, including the plea, “Heaven let your light shine down.”

7. “God Only Knows” Dolly Parton & for KING & COUNTRY

Originally a hit for Christian duo for KING & COUNTRY, “God Only Knows” took on new warmth when Dolly Parton joined them for a special 2019 version. Dolly said the song touched her at a time when she needed to be lifted up, and she wanted to be part of its message of hope for people going through difficult times.

“God only knows what you’ve been through” captures the heart of the song: other people may never fully understand our private struggles, but God sees the person underneath them all. Dolly’s tender, unmistakable voice makes that message of being fully known—and still fully loved—hit especially close to home.