"The Letter" Lyrics

(Dolly Parton)

Spoken:
This is the first letter that I wrote back home to Mom and Daddy
A few days after I'd moved to Nashville:

June 2, 1964
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Momma and Daddy,

I hope this letter finds everybody well and happy.
As for me, I'm fine I guess. I'm just a little lonesome and a whole lot homesick.
I got to Nashville okay and I thought I'd better write and let you know
'Cause I knew you'd be worried about me.

And I don't want you to be worried about me 'cause I'm gonna be alright
Once I get settled and used to bein' away from home.
I didn't realize how much I loved you and all them noisy kids until I left
And I didn't realize how hard it was to leave home either.

Till I started to leave and everybody started cryin', includin' me.
I cried almost all the way to Nashville
And I wanted to turn around a few times and come back
But you know how bad I've always wanted to go to Nashville
And be a singer and songwriter.

And I believe that if I try long enough and hard enough that someday I'll make it.
Don't worry about tryin' to send me any money or anything
'Cause I've got a job singing on the early morning television show here
Called the Eddie Hill Show.

A couple of folks already told me that they might record a couple of my songs so
I'll be making enough money to get by
And I don't want you worryin' about me bein' hungry or anything.
Nashville is not exactly what I thought it was gonna be.

But I believe I'm gonna like it here once I get used to it.
And I don't want you worryin' about me gettin' in trouble either
'Cause I'll be good just like I promised you I would when I left.
Well, can't think of anything else to say.

I guess I'd better close for now and you write me real soon
Tell everybody I said hello and I'm gonna be real anxious to hear from you
'Cause I sure miss you and I love you an awful lot.

With love as always,
Dolly...