Country music legend Dolly Parton left behind a final secret song that will not be released to the public for another 20 years, following her death on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
The unreleased track, titled My Place in History, is locked inside a wooden time capsule at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and is scheduled to be opened on what would have been her 100th birthday on January 19, 2046.
Parton, one of the most celebrated figures in American music history, built a world-renowned career spanning six decades with hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You. The singer co-founded the Dollywood theme park in the Smoky Mountains region of East Tennessee, expanding the destination over the years to include hotels and entertainment venues that honor her Appalachian roots.
Parton composed the secret song in 2015, the same year that the DreamMore Resort opened its doors. A representative for Dollywood confirmed to CNN that the resort's wooden Dream Box containing the recording will remain sealed until the designated anniversary date in 2046.
A Secret Track Locked Away in 2015
Parton first discussed the hidden recording during a 2022 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, explaining that the track was specifically written to serve as her final musical message. She told Clarkson that she had placed various items representative of the era inside the box, including a cassette player and a CD player to ensure the recording could be played.
During the television interview, Parton admitted that keeping the song hidden had bothered her immensely over the years. She explained that she frequently felt the temptation to dig up the recording and release it early because she regarded it as a very good song.
The Kelly Clarkson Show, a popular American daytime talk show hosted by the singer, often featured Parton sharing insights into her songwriting. By placing traditional media players inside the capsule, Parton sought to ensure that listeners in 2046 would still have the physical equipment necessary to play the recorded media.
Personal Relics Inside the Dream Box
In addition to the audio recording, the wooden box holds several other personal treasures. According to Parton's official website, the container includes a piece of wood taken from the front porch of her childhood home in East Tennessee.
Parton's website describes the front porch as a favorite gathering spot for her family, where she often sang as a young girl growing up in the Smoky Mountains. Parton was raised in Sevier County, Tennessee, in a rural mountain setting that deeply inspired classic songs throughout her career.
In a statement published on her website, Parton stated that the items chosen for the Dream Box were closely connected to special people who had encouraged her throughout her life. She added that the objects also commemorated specific moments where that encouragement had ultimately paid off.
Reflections on a Centennial Release
Parton also reflected on the timing of the release in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. In the book, she wrote about the planned debut around her 100th birthday, remarking that she did not know whether she wanted to live until 100, but noting that one never knows.
Fans and music historians will now wait until January 19, 2046, when Dollywood officials plan to open the Dream Box and share Parton's final piece of music with the world.
