Music and entertainment icon Dolly Parton has released the lead single, the classic Christian track “Mary, Did You Know?’ for her upcoming Christmas project, “A Holly Dolly Christmas.” The song, written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, has been covered by artists of multiple genres such as Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, Jordan Smith, and CeeLo Green.
Parton, who has released several notable faith-based projects in the past year, including duets with for KING & COUNTRY and Zach Williams and the Emmy-nominated “These Old Bones” episode of her Netflix series “Heartstrings,” said the song is one of the “greatest” she’s ever recorded.
“”Mary, Did You Know?’ is one of the greatest, sweetest, well-written songs that I’ve ever had the chance to sing on,” she said. “When I was recording it, I got very emotional. It is to me what Christmas is about and I’m proud to be able to sing it for my upcoming album.”
Releasing on Butterfly Records in partnership with 12Tone Music, “A Holly Dolly Christmas” is the artist’s first holiday album in 30 years and includes Christmas classics, as well as a few original tracks. Five of the 12 tracks were written solely by Parton with one additional co-write with Kent Wells. Duet partners and featured artists on the album are some of her friends including Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, and Willie Nelson, plus a special song with her brother, Randy Parton.
“Circle of Love,” another faith-based track on the album, was originally released as the theme song for Parton’s film “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”
“Happy birthday to You, we praise and we sing
We celebrate You, we are so glad You came
Happy birthday to You Jesus, let us lift You up
How thankful we are, for all of Your love
So Jesus was born, wore a crown of thorns
Gave it all up, just to save us.”
In addition to the duet with Zach Williams, “There Was Jesus” which landed the singer in the Top 10 on the Hot Christian Songs and Christian Airplay charts and the Platinum and GRAMMY-winning “God Only Knows” with for KING & COUNTRY, Parton released an inspirational song during the pandemic shutdown called “When Life is Good Again,” urging listeners to seize the opportunity to make things right with each other and with God.
In November, while promoting her “Heartstrings” series, Parton spoke openly about her Christian faith, and while she pointed out she doesn’t want to “shove it down anyone’s throat,” she wanted to help make a difference in the world where she can.
“I just want to do what I can do in this world to make things better if I can, and I’m in a position to do it,” she said. “If you get in a position to help, you should help. And at my age, and with everything going on, I just think this is a good time, with all the darkness going on in the world right now, and all the bad stuff going on.”
The track listing for “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” currently available for pre-order, follows.
- Holly Jolly Christmas – Dolly Parton
- Christmas Is (feat. Miley Cyrus) – Dolly Parton
- Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas – Dolly Parton, Michael Bublé
- Christmas On The Square – Dolly Parton
- Circle Of Love – Dolly Parton
- All I Want For Christmas Is You – Dolly Parton, Jimmy Fallon
- Comin’ Home For Christmas – Dolly Parton
- Christmas Where We Are (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) – Dolly Parton
- Pretty Paper – Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson
- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Dolly Parton
- You Are My Christmas (feat. Randy Parton) – Dolly Parton
- Mary, Did You Know? – Dolly Parton
Listen to “Mary, Did You Know?” here:
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