Bill To Make Dolly Parton’s Version Of “Amazing Grace” The State Hymn Of Tennessee Passes In The House

Dolly Parton in a red dress
Shutterstock

There’s a new push to get Dolly Parton’s version of “Amazing Grace” officially certified as the state hymn of Tennessee.

According to WZTV Nashville, the bill recently passed in the house 91-1 and will now head to the senate for a final vote. I don’t know who the 1 is, but somebody needs to have a talk with them. Are they trying to get re-elected for another term in Tennessee or not?

The bi-partisan bill was introduced by Republican Rep. Mike Sparks and Democratic Sen. Raumesh Akbari. A testament to the universal power of Dolly Parton.

“Amazing Grace” is one of the oldest and most popular Christian hymns there is. It was originally written in 1772 by clergyman John Newton, and has been covered by tons of artists like Alan Jackson and Elvis Presley.

As you may recall, not too long ago, Dolly gracefully declined to have a statue of herself put up at the state Capitol Building in downtown Nashville. The bill was authored by Tennessee Rep John Mark Windle, and it was gaining traction from both Republicans and Democrats.

Dolly has tried to remain as apolitical as possible throughout her career, also declining to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the Trump administration last year, and in all likeliness, will do the same with the offer from the Biden administration:

“Then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the COVID, so now I feel like if I take it I’ll be doing politics. So, I’m not sure.”

No word yet on whether or not Dolly will be okay with this new idea, but she deserves to be honored by her home state somehow. She’s been very open about her faith over the years, so it seems like this could be a go. She noted in a recent speech:

“I really have a lot of faith, and I thank God every day [for] everything good that happens to me, and I pray for guidance.” 

I think this would be the perfect way to recognize her career and everything she’s done. Hopefully, Dolly agrees and it can be just another way she brings people together.

And that a capella version:

A beer bottle on a dock

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock