Country music icon Dolly Parton, along with CCM artist Zach Williams, has topped Christian music charts with "There Was Jesus,” a song bringing hope to millions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Billboard, the duet increased by 2% to 10.5 million airplay audience impressions in the week ending Sept. 6, topping the Christian AC Songs tally.
Though she has amassed 25 No. 1 hits on Hot Country Songs, seven leaders on Top Country Albums, and two No. 1 hits on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, “There Was Jesus” marks Parton's first No. 1 on Billboard's Christian charts.
"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," Parton told Billboard. "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."
"I don't even know hardly what to say about all the No. 1s in all the different fields of music," Parton said. "Thank you God, thank you fans and thank you everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible."
Penned by Williams, Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith, “There Was Jesus” speaks of God’s presence amid difficult times. Lyrics include the lines: “In the fire, in the flood/There was Jesus/Always is and always was.”
Williams previously told The Christian Post he “never in a million years dreamed” that he would be doing a song with Parton.
“Obviously, that's a pretty big deal, but she's so down to earth,” he said. “She's been a champion from day one. She is really outspoken about her faith. This was something that she told me felt like a God-send. It's one of those things where you never know if you don't ask, so I'm glad that we did.”