Dolly Parton could have chosen one of her own classics for her final farewell. "I Will Always Love You" would have been the obvious choice-but Dolly had something far more personal in mind.
Years before her death, the country legend revealed that she wanted the old gospel hymn "If We Never Meet Again" sung at her funeral. Written by celebrated gospel composer Albert E. Brumley, the song held a precious connection to Dolly's father, Lee Parton.
"That was my daddy's favorite," Dolly previously explained. "We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine," she added, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The choice was not simply an emotional tribute to her father. It was also a clear declaration of Dolly's Christian faith and her belief that death would not have the final word.
What Do We Know About The Hymn?
Albert E. Brumley wrote "If We Never Meet Again" in 1945. Brumley was one of Southern gospel music's most influential songwriters, also responsible for enduring favorites such as "I'll Fly Away," "I'll Meet You in the Morning," "Jesus, Hold My Hand" and "Turn Your Radio On." The Oklahoma Historical Society describes him as a major figure in American gospel songwriting who produced hundreds of songs during his lifetime.
The hymn begins by contemplating the approaching end of life's journey. It acknowledges the painful possibility that friends and family may part on earth without another opportunity to see one another. But the chorus transforms that sadness into Christian hope: even if believers never meet again "this side of heaven," they will be reunited on the beautiful shore where separation, sorrow and suffering are no more.
That message explains why the hymn has long been heard at funerals, memorial services and final church gatherings. It does not deny the anguish of goodbye; instead, it treats goodbye as temporary. The song's hope rests on the Christian promise of eternal life and the reunion of believers in heaven.
Published under the title "If We Never Meet Again," the hymn uses the tune name "MEET AGAIN" and has appeared in numerous church songbooks, including the Baptist Hymnal 2008.
The hymn also traveled well beyond local church walls. Elvis Presley recorded it at Nashville's RCA Studio B on October 30, 1960, for his gospel album His Hand in Mine. His recording featured The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham and Charlie Hodge on supporting vocals.
Dolly's Choice Said More Than One Of Her Hits Ever Could
For a star who wrote thousands of songs and gave the world one of the greatest farewell ballads ever recorded, choosing someone else's hymn was deeply revealing. Dolly apparently did not want her funeral centered on celebrity, chart achievements or even her own songwriting genius. She wanted a song that pointed toward heaven-and back to the father who first loved it.
Dolly once summarized the hymn's message as the promise that if loved ones never meet again on this side of heaven, they will meet on that "beautiful shore." It was an especially poignant choice following the deaths of her father and, many years later, her husband, Carl Dean.
Because Dolly's funeral was private, its complete musical program has not been publicly confirmed. What is known is that this was the hymn she personally said she wanted sung when her own final farewell arrived.
In the end, Dolly Parton did not choose a song that asked the world to remember her. She chose one that assured those left behind that, through faith in Christ, they could meet her again.
