Origins: Letter to Heaven a Dolly original?

Subject: Origins: Letter to Heaven a Dolly original?
From: GUEST,Eric Weisbard
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 11:10 AM

Hi there,

I'm researching Dolly Parton and trying to figure out if "Letter to Heaven," which she first recorded in the early 1960s on what was supposed to be a Kitty Wells tribute record, then copyrighted when it appeared again on Joshua, is a song she actually wrote or taken from something older. Below are the lyrics: any help would be greatly appreciated.

Eric

An old man was sitting at his table one day
Writing a letter to pass time away
His little granddaughter climbed up on his knee
Saying won't you please write a letter for me
Oh what must I say in this letter I pray
Tell mommy I miss her since she went away
I coming to see her real soon I hope
He choked back a big lump that rose in his throat

He sealed it and wrote on that big envelope
To God up in heaven you'll get it I hope
He stamped it and handed it to her to mail
Her big eyes were shining her little face pale

She was crossing the street to the box o'er the way
And when she stepped out never looked either way
A big auto hit her and sped away fast
The little girls prayers had been answered at last

The postman was passing and picked up the note
Addressed to the Master and these words he spoke
Straight up into heaven this letter did go
She's happy up there with her mommy I know

Subject: RE: Origins: Letter to Heaven a Dolly original?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 05:27 PM

LETTER TO HEAVEN
(Dolly Parton)
« © '69 Velvet Apple Music, BMI »

That is from

www.luma-electronic.cz/lp/p/Parton/dolly_joshua.htm


There are other lyrics from the album Joshua, and they have various writers/authors attributed. So, I would say that Dolly is indeed the author of that one.

As to whether or not she based it on anything else, I would suggest you e-mail her. She's a down-home gal, and more than likely to answer you.