The Letter

This is the first letter that I wrote back home to Momma 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 being 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 til I started to leave and everybody started crying, including 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 trying to sending 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 worrying about me being 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 worrying about me getting 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

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