Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer, appeared on the show Home & Family alongside her mini-me, Alyvia Alyn Lind, who played a young Parton in the 2015 made-for-TV movie Coat of Many Colors.
During the interview, the hosts asked Parton about a song in the film called “Angel Hill.” Parton revealed that she had written the tune a while ago, but had finally recorded it when the movie was being made. Lind had lent her vocals to the track as well.
Parton then shared the backstory behind the song, which was written after the death of her baby brother.
“A big portion of the movie was based on us losing one of my little brothers. There were so many of us, we were being born right after another, so Mama would always tell one of the older ones, ‘Well, this baby’s gonna be yours,’ because that meant we’d have to take extra time, get up and rock it or whatever. The baby Mama was carrying was gonna be my baby and when I was her age, I was nine, so, we lost that baby and I was so brokenhearted.”
Parton comes from a large family, and her mother used to assign one of the older children to take care of each new baby. Parton was assigned to take care of her new baby brother, but sadly, he passed away when she was just nine years old.
Lind and Parton then climbed onto stools and began to sing the heartbreaking song about Parton’s love for her baby brother.
She calls the place where he is buried “Angel Hill” and made us tear up when she sang, “I’ll meet you in heaven if it be God’s will/My angel, my angel I’ll meet you in heaven, I can’t wait until.”
Lind sings with the country legend for the chorus, and Parton takes the lead during the verses. The song, while heartbreaking, is a beautiful tribute to Parton’s brother and turned into a sweet duet between the “two Dollys.”
The emotional performance showcases not only Parton’s vocal talent but also the strong bond between her and Lind. It’s clear that Lind is more than just a mini-me to Parton but someone who has truly connected with her on a personal level.
Overall, the interview and performance offer a rare glimpse into Parton’s personal life and the deep emotions that have inspired her music.
Parton’s ability to connect with her audience through her music has made her a beloved icon in the music industry, and this performance is no exception. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of music to heal and bring people together.