Dolly Parton released a new single, 'If You Hadn’t Been There,' in honour of her late husband, Carl Dean

Dolly Parton shared a sweet photo with her late husband, Carl Dean, as she debuted a heartfelt new single over the weekend.

Dolly released If You Hadn’t Been There in Carl's honour days after confirming his passing in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82.

Dolly, 79, said as she introduced her newest ballad, “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.”

“I wouldn’t be here/ If you hadn’t been there/ Holding my hand/ Showing you care/ You made me dream/ More than I dared/ And I wouldn’t be here/ If you hadn’t been there”

The I Will Always Love You singer met her husband on her first day living in Nashville, where she moved from her East Tennessee hometown to pursue her career in music. Dolly shared in recent months that she thought “the last thing” she wanted was a boyfriend when she moved to Music City (in fact, the singer-songwriter left behind “two boyfriends back home that had wanted to marry me”). But she met Carl right away outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat, and they remained together ever since. They got married in a “simple” and “private” Georgia wedding on May 30, 1966. Dolly said Carl, who opted to remain out of the spotlight throughout his decades-long marriage with the globally-beloved country star, was “hilarious.” She said they always respected one another and had “a lot of fun,” during a recent podcast interview.

Dolly announced the loss of her husband last week. She said at that time that her husband would be laid to rest in a private ceremony with only immediate family in attendance. She wrote, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

She received an outpouring of condolences and support after sharing her statement, including from Tanya Tucker, Lee Brice, Lainey Wilson, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Lainey Wilson, the family of late legend Loretta Lynn, and many more.

“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans,” Dolly said. “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.”

- Written by iHeart.com and republished with edits and permission.