Dolly Parton’s musical legacy took on an especially emotional meaning with one of her final self-released songs, a collaboration that brought together four remarkable women from different generations and corners of the music world.

For the special re-recording, Parton invited Queen Latifah, Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson and Reba McEntire to join her on a new version of one of her longtime hits. The collaboration became a celebration of female voices while also carrying a deeply personal purpose: helping support pediatric cancer research in Nashville.

The project was more than a nostalgic remake.

It demonstrated the way Parton repeatedly used music as a vehicle for generosity and connection. Rather than simply revisiting a song from decades earlier, she transformed it into an opportunity to bring artists together and support children facing serious illness.

The four collaborators each brought a distinctive musical identity to the recording.

Reba McEntire represented another generation of country music royalty, while Miley Cyrus shared a particularly meaningful connection with Parton. Dolly had served as Cyrus’ godmother and had remained an important presence in her life and career for decades.

Lainey Wilson represented a younger generation of country performers who have been influenced by Parton’s songwriting and career. Queen Latifah, meanwhile, brought her own extraordinary history as a rapper, singer, actress and entertainer, adding another dimension to the all-star collaboration.

Together, the women created a recording that reflected the breadth of Parton’s influence.

Her music has always crossed boundaries. Although she became one of country music’s most recognizable stars, her songs have been interpreted by performers in pop, rock, soul and other genres.

Few songs illustrate that universal appeal better than Parton’s classic compositions, many of which have been recorded by artists around the world.

The new collaboration also carried a charitable purpose connected directly to Nashville.

Proceeds from the song were directed toward pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee.

That philanthropic element was particularly fitting for Parton, whose charitable work became nearly as famous as her music.

Through initiatives including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, she demonstrated a long-standing commitment to improving children’s lives. The literacy program has distributed millions of books to children, becoming one of her most enduring contributions outside entertainment.

Her support for medical research and children’s causes continued that tradition.

In retrospect, the collaboration now carries additional emotional weight because it became the last self-released song of Parton’s lifetime, according to the information surrounding the project.

Parton’s death left behind an enormous catalog of music, but her final releases inevitably take on a special significance for fans.

This particular recording feels especially appropriate because it captures so many elements of what made her career unique: songwriting, collaboration, female empowerment, generosity and an ability to connect generations.

There is also something symbolic about Parton choosing to share the recording with four women whose own careers reflect different aspects of the entertainment industry.

Instead of standing alone, she surrounded herself with artists she admired and helped create a musical moment that could continue doing good beyond the recording studio.

For fans listening today, the song can therefore be heard on several levels.

It is a reunion with a familiar Dolly Parton classic. It is an all-star collaboration featuring five distinctive voices. And it is a reminder of Parton’s belief that music could be used to bring people together and help others.

Her career lasted more than six decades, producing countless beloved songs and unforgettable performances.

Yet one of the most fitting ways to remember her may be through a recording that brought women together and turned music into an act of giving.

Dolly Parton may have released her final self-released song, but the spirit behind it continues to resonate.

The voices of Queen Latifah, Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson and Reba McEntire help carry that spirit forward, while the charitable purpose ensures that the recording represents something larger than a final musical chapter.

It is, in many ways, exactly the kind of farewell Dolly Parton’s fans would expect: full of music, friendship, generosity and heart.

Source: Dolly Parton’s official channels, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Billboard, American Songwriter, PEOPLE, Tennessean and various music sources.