Dolly Parton paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away this week. In a poignant Instagram post on Friday, the country singer released a new song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There” as a tribute to him.

Parton wrote, “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”

The couple shared six decades together until Dean’s death on Monday at the age of 82.

In the new song, Parton’s voice trembles as she sings, “If you hadn’t been there / Where would I be? / Without your trust, love, and belief.” She continues, “You made me dream / More than I dared,” and “And I wouldn’t be here / If you hadn’t been there.”

The song’s cover features an old photo of Parton embracing Dean.

Parton, 79, expressed gratitude for the support from fans, friends, and family after her husband’s passing. She wrote on Instagram, “This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. 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.”

The singer, known for hits such as “9-5” and “Jolene,” met Dean outside a laundromat on her first day in Nashville as an 18-year-old aspiring musician. She described their initial encounter, saying, “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

Two years later, in 1966, Parton and Dean got married. They kept a private life, with Dean rarely appearing in public. The couple did not have children together.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2yd7k8471o