By The Chronicle Staff

Dolly Parton’s remarkable musical career may have come to an end, but the country music legend made sure there is still at least one surprise waiting for her fans.

Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, recorded a secret song more than a decade ago and left instructions that it remain unheard until 2046 — what would have been her 100th birthday.

The unreleased song, titled “My Place in History,” is currently sealed inside a chestnut box at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Parton wrote and recorded the song in 2015, the same year the resort opened. Instead of releasing it, she placed the recording inside what has become a musical time capsule with instructions that it not be opened until Jan. 19, 2046.

That date would have marked Parton’s 100th birthday.

The recording is stored on a CD, but Parton apparently thought ahead about one potential problem: Would anyone still have a way to play a CD in 2046?

She included a CD player inside the box.

The unusual plan became something Parton occasionally discussed publicly over the years. She admitted that keeping the song hidden wasn't always easy, particularly because she believed she had written something special.

During a 2022 TV appearance, Parton joked that she had regretted locking the song away because she thought it was so good that she wanted to retrieve it and replace it with something else.

In her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, she also wondered whether the technology — or even the contents of the box — would survive until its scheduled opening.

At the time she recorded the song, Parton was 69 and hadn't completely ruled out the possibility that she might live long enough to attend the opening herself.

Now, the song will take on an entirely different meaning.

When the box is finally opened in 2046, fans will hear a new Dolly Parton song more than 30 years after it was recorded and two decades after her death.

The box itself also carries personal meaning. Made of chestnut, it honors Parton's uncle and early mentor, Bill Owens, who was involved in efforts to preserve the American chestnut tree. The "Dream Box" is displayed at the DreamMore Resort.

“My Place in History” may not be the only new material fans receive in the years ahead.

Parton's longtime manager, Dany Nozell, said following her death that the singer continued working until the end of her life and had developed plans for projects that could continue after she was gone. According to Nozell, a team selected by Parton has a roadmap for unreleased music, books, products, experiences and other projects that were in various stages of development.

One major project is already moving forward.

“Dolly: A True Original Musical,” the Broadway production telling the story of Parton's life and career, is scheduled to begin previews Dec. 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City.

Its official opening is planned for Jan. 19, 2027 — what would have been Parton's 81st birthday. Parton's representatives said continuing with the production was her wish.

Parton had even thought about the music she wanted associated with her own funeral. Years ago, she said she hoped the country-gospel hymn “If We Never Meet Again” would be performed. The song was a favorite of her father, Lee Parton, and was also performed at his funeral after his death in 2000.

Her representatives have said Parton requested a small private funeral for immediate family.

For generations of fans who grew up with songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” however, one final musical moment remains on the calendar.

Jan. 19, 2046. On that day, if Parton's instructions are followed, a box in Tennessee will finally be opened and the world will hear “My Place in History.”

It will be one last new song from an artist who spent more than six decades making sure her music would outlive her. ■