Dolly Parton Penned Timeless Prayer, “Hello God,” Following Tragic 9/11 Attacks: “We Need You, We Gotta Have Some Help”

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A cry for help during a time of great tragedy 24 years ago… and yet it feels relevant more now than ever.

Dolly Parton released her 39th solo studio album Halos & Horns in 2002, the third album in her critically acclaimed bluegrass trilogy. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2003, while “Dagger Through the Heart” and “I’m Gone” were both nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

But one song in particular is still a standout, and that would be a song called “Hello God,” which was inspired by the tragic events that occurred on September 11th, 2001. I’m sure many of us can still remember exactly where we were when we watched the Twin Towers fall after al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes and carried out coordinated attacks against multiple targets in the United States.

Those include the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as well as the plane that crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (which was likely headed for either the U.S. Capitol or the White House), after brave passengers fought back against the hijackers.

The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, and America has never been the same.

Dolly used “Hello God” as the important closer to every show on her 2016 Pure & Simple tour as well, and in the Dollymania archive which features the track-by-track explanations of her songs, Dolly recalled being sent several songs that she wound up cutting for Halos & Horns. Dolly recalled being sent three songs after the September 11th attacks, and she was struck by how strongly she felt about them and how relevant they felt to the state of the country at the time.

She was inspired, and penned “Hello God” as a prayer and message that we only have one true hope in this life: Jesus Christ:

“The day after September 11th, I was ‘given’ several songs. One was called ‘Color Me America,’ which I’ll be performing at live shows. The next one that came is ‘Hello God.’ I realized just how fragile we really are, and how small life is, and how everything can change in the blink of an eye.

I had really strong feelings. That song was given to me, that and ‘Raven Dove.’ Some songs write themselves. This one was just calling out, saying, ‘Write me!’ I hope everything comes across as I meant it. It’s like everybody believes that God is their God. But God belongs to everybody. Those lines: ‘I have questioned Your existence, and my resistance leaves me cold.’

It’s like, if You exist, how could You let this happen? But then not to believe there’s a God is even worse. Then you’re just cold and totally alone. We’re not strong. We need You. We gotta have some help.”

Dolly has always been very open about her faith, it’s something I deeply admire about her, and this song finds her with a sincere plea in the wake of despair, asking God to show up when pure evil felt overwhelming. I think even the most faithful believer has had these thoughts and feelings, which is what makes Dolly’s words so powerful.

Considering the tragic events in this country over the last several weeks, including the death of Charlie Kirk, and the reflection we all do on this day every year, this song feels more relevant than ever.

It’s an earnest prayer at the core of the message:

“This old world has gone to pieces
Can we fix it?
Is there time?
Hate and violence just increases
We’re so selfish, cruel, and blind
We fight and kill each other
In Your name defending You
Do You love some more than others?
We’re so lost and confused”

The chorus is an humble call for God to hear the cries of his people and cover them with his love because of the sadness and despair that seemed, and seems, so present in this broken world:

“Hello, God?
Are you out there?
Can you hear us?
Are you listenin’ anymore?
Hello, God?
If we’re still on speakin’ terms
Can You help us like before?
Oh, the free will You have given
We have made a mockery of
This is no way to be livin’
We’re in great need of Your love
Hello, God?”

Her message is so honest and moving, and it goes to show her talent and foresight that a song like this is sadly timeless in an imperfect world. When things like 9/11 happen, it feels like the only thing we can do is cry out to God for help, and even in our own personal struggles and daily life, there are so many times when it feels like that too, even if it’s not a tragic event like the terrorist attacks on America 24 years ago.

In 2002, Dolly, backed by The Christ Church Choir of Nashville, performed “Hello God” at the 36th annual CMA awards in Nashville, and it was absolutely incredible. She gave a jaw-dropping performance, and her emotion and conviction is still palpable to this day. Of course, Dolly is known for so many things in her philanthropy work, business savvy and her warm, bubbly personality, but sometimes I think it gets lost what a truly talented, once-in-a-generation musician she is above all else.