Letter to Heaven
Dolly Parton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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'm coming to see her real soon I hope
He chocked back a big lump that rouse 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 object 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




Strait up into heave this letter did go
She's happy up there with her mommy I know

Overall Meaning

In Dolly Parton's song, Letter to Heaven, an old man is sitting at his table writing a letter when his little granddaughter climbs up on his knee and asks him to write a letter for her. When he asks her what she would like to say in the letter, she asks him to tell her mother that she misses her since she went away and she hopes to come see her soon. The old man is emotional and chokes up to find words to express his granddaughter's feelings. Eventually, he manages to write the letter and hands it to his granddaughter to mail.


However, as the little girl crosses the street to mail the letter, she is hit by a vehicle and passes away. But, the postman discovers the sealed letter that was addressed to God and reads it. The letter expresses the feelings of the little girl and her longing to be with her mother. The postman believes that the little girl's prayers had been answered, and the letter had gone straight up to heaven, where she was reunited with her mother. The song is emotional and tells a story of love, loss, and hope.


The song's composition and lyrics are excellent and convey the emotions of the characters in a poignant yet hopeful way. The lyrics reveal that the little girl was still longing to be with her mother, even after her death. The old man tried to help her in his own way by writing the letter, but fate had other plans. The song also tells us that the power of prayers and faith in God can help in overcoming grief and loss.


Line by Line Meaning

An old man was sitting at his table one day
An elderly man was idly passing his time while seated at his table.


Writing a letter to pass time away
He was composing a letter to kill his boredom.


His little granddaughter climbed up on his knee
His young granddaughter climbed upon his lap.


Saying won't you please write a letter for me
Asking her grandpa to write a letter on her behalf.


Oh, what must I say in this letter I pray
Oh, please tell me what I should write in this letter.


Tell mommy I miss her since she went away
Inform my mother that I have been longing for her since she left.


I'm coming to see her real soon I hope
I am planning to visit her in the hope of reuniting soon.


He chocked back a big lump that rouse in his throat
He suppressed his emotions to avoid breaking down.


He sealed it and wrote on that big envelope
After completing the letter, he sealed it in a large envelope.


To god up in heaven you'll get it I hope
With the utmost hope, he addressed the letter to God in heaven.


He stamped it and handed it to her to mail
He affixed a stamp to it and gave it to his granddaughter to post.


Her big eyes were shining, her little face pale
His granddaughter's face radiated happiness, but she was also somewhat pale.


She was crossing the street to the box o'er the way
She walked across the street to access the mailbox on the other side.


And when she stepped out Never looked either way
She didn't bother looking either side before crossing the road.


A big object hit her and sped away fast
A large object struck her then rapidly drove off.


The little girls prayers had been answered at last
The little girl's prayers had been fulfilled in the end.


The postman was passing
Just as the young girl was hit, a postman was walking by.


And picked up the note
He picked up the letter that the girl had dropped.


Addressed to the master
It was directed to the Master, which is a reference to God.


And these words he spoke
The postman read aloud from the letter.


Strait up into heave this letter did go
The postman imagined the letter flying straight up to heaven.


She's happy up there with her mommy I know
The letter's author expressed his conviction that his daughter and granddaughter were happy together in heaven.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tammie Schmautz

I heard this song when I was 6 months pregnant with my 5th child, a daughter, and cried...to lose a child was just the unthinkable!!! Sadly, the unthinkable did happen 5 months later, when I woke to my daughter's cold, stiff body beside mine one cold winter's night...She had fallen into the sleep that never wakens...RIP my Baby Katelyn....Mama loves you...

Teresa Sugden

God bless you with peace

Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi

God is our strength in all things

David Bell

To those of you who grew up with both parents, be thankful and love your Mother and Father. My Father passed away when I was six. I can't think of anything that is more devastating to a child. I am an old person now, but the memory will always be with me. God bless all parents and give them strength to do the right thing for their children, and pray that you can watch them grow.

Kimples Alaska

My Dad died when I was 6 also. Killed by a drunk driver. My mom lost both her husband and her Dad, my grandpa in the wreck.

Novlett Edgar

I love and appreciate both my parents and I thank God for them each day.... I hope that they will be blessed with long life

mack marchant

damn, my dad died when i was 6 too

Tia Young

I’m so sorry

marshal hamweene

Love you my parents

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Silvestre Kipchirchir

Dolly Parton is such an exceptional talent and a jewel, she is my all time favourite and her songs are eternal

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