Chris Stapleton’s stirring cover of “I Hope You Dance” is wholly different from the version we all know and love, but this rendition is way worth the listen!

Lee Ann Wommack released her version of the crossover country pop song in 2000. It often reminds listeners of what they might hope for their children.

Lee Ann’s “I Hope You Dance” music video featured her real-life daughters, Aubrie and Anna Lise, now 33 and 25, respectively. Her recording is slightly faster and more melodic. Sons of the Desert join Lee Ann Wommack, along with an orchestra. 

However, Chris Stapleton’s acoustic cover is sedate, raw, and bluesy.

His performance is perhaps the counterpart to the original—an opportunity to express the same desires for the boy offspring of the world. In reality, though, the song wasn’t penned with a parental relationship in mind. Written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, the song “urges listeners to take chances, step out of their comfort zones, and cherish the moments that truly matter.”   

Here are the moving words of verse two of “I Hope You Dance:”

“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance”

The lyrics inspire listeners to dream, meet challenges, and live well. So, when the story-telling skills of those behind “I Hope You Dance” connect with the singing caliber of Chris Stapleton, a low-key performance winds up being super powerful.     

The 46-year-old Kentucky native has won dozens of awards, including 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, and more.  

Isn’t our God smart? When He has a message of truth to communicate, He uses the perfect voices to do the work! 

“He said to him, ‘I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.’” Exodus 6:29