A friend left a message on my phone on this song and wondered whether I might know it. NOT the Tim McGraw song, this is a tune foremost in my mind, although it has lyrics.

It starts out something like
My little girl, I long to hold you (or long to see you)

I've heard it mainly as a mandolin tune although my brother (since died) used to sing it. It may be an old song or it may date from post 50s.

I've Googled and Cowpied and Ask.commed and I haven't found anything.

Can anybody help? Thanks in advance.