Dolly Parton shares beautiful new song dedicated to her husband Carl Dean days after his death

7 March 2025, 10:19

Great love stories never end.

Dolly Parton has released a stunning new song in tribute to her husband Carl Dean.

Carl, to whom Dolly was married for nearly 60 years, died earlier this week in Nashville at the age of 82.

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"Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end," Dolly said in a post on Instagram.

"They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him. 'If You Hadn’t Been There'."

The cover image for the song features a rare photograph of Carl and Dolly together when they were young, with the singer having her arms around her husband.

Dolly Parton - If You Hadn’t Been There (Official Audio)

After announcing his death earlier this week, Dolly also thanked those who have sent their condolences.

"This is a love note to family, friends, and fans," she said,

"Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you've sent to pay respects for the lost of my beloved husband Carl."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Dolly added: "I can't reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me.

"He is in God's arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you."

Dolly and Carl met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville on the day Parton moved to the city. They married just two years later.