An unreleased song penned by Dolly Parton, titled "My Place In History," is set to be released on what would have been her 100th birthday, in 20 years. Parton, who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer, wrote the song in 2015. The track is stored on a CD inside a locked "Dream Box" at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort in Tennessee.
Parton's representatives confirmed her death in a statement, noting that she passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones. The statement highlighted Parton's "unmatched generosity," citing her donations of books through her Imagination Library and funding research for a vaccine. Despite her illness, those close to her said she remained optimistic and drew strength from her Christian faith.
"My Place In History" was written the same year the DreamMore Resort opened. Parton included reflections on her longevity and the song in her 2020 book, "Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics." "I don't know if I want to live to be 100 or not. But you never know," she wrote. "I might, and if I do, I'm going to be at that opening." She also humorously mused about the song's playback potential in the future, hoping "it will play and the whole thing ain't rotted."
The "Dream Box" also contains a piece of wood from the front porch of Parton's childhood home. The news of her death came as a shock, with reports of her experiencing months of undisclosed health issues that led her to withdraw from public appearances.
News of Parton's passing coincided with a performance of "9 To 5: The Musical" in Worthing, West Sussex. Actress Karla Tracey, who portrays Parton's character Doralee in the production, informed the audience before the show. The cast dedicated the performance to Parton's memory, honoring her "extraordinary talent, creativity, and spirit."