Coe's rebellious attitude, wild image, and unconventional lifestyle set him apart from other country performers, both winning him legions of fans and hindering his mainstream success by alienating the music industry establishment. Coe continues to be a popular performer on the country circuit.
Coe was born in Akron, Ohio. His favorite singer as a child was Johnny Cash. After being sent to the Starr Commonwealth For Boys reform school at the age of nine, he spent much of the next 20 years in correctional facilities, including three years at the Ohio Penitentiary. Coe claimed he received encouragement to begin writing songs from Screamin' Jay Hawkins, with whom he had spent time in prison.
After concluding another prison term in 1967, Coe embarked on a music career in Nashville, living in a hearse which he parked in front of the Ryman Auditorium while he performed on the street. He caught the attention of Shelby Singleton, owner of the independent record label Plantation Records and signed a contract with his label.
He is the father of Tyler Mahan Coe, who created the country music podcast Cocaine & Rhinestones. He has a daughter, Shelli Coe Mackie, and is father-in-law to the late Michael Mackie, formerly of Texas band 'Thunderosa'.
Coe's musical style derives from blues, rock, and country music traditions. His vocal style is described as a 'throaty baritone'. His lyrical content is often humorous or comedic, with William Ruhlmann describing him as a 'near-parody of a country singer'. Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes Coe as "a great, unashamed country singer, singing the purest honky-tonk and hardest country of his era […] he may not be the most original outlaw, but there is none more outlaw than him".
Coe's lyrics frequently include references to alcohol and drug use, and are often boisterous and cocky. Coe's debut album Penitentiary Blues was described as "voodoo blues" and "redneck music" by Allmusic's Thom Jurek. It focused on themes such as working for the first time, blood tests from veins used to inject heroin, prison time, hoodoo imagery, and death. The album's influences included Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Tony Joe White. Coe later explained to Kristofer Engelhardt of Review: "I didn't really care for some of the country music until people like Kris Kristofferson and some of those people started writing songs. They had a little more to say than just, 'Oh baby I miss you', or whatever. I don't do anything halfway. Once I got into country music, I went back and researched it, and learned everything there was to know about it. I could do impersonations of Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, just about anybody. I knew just about all there was to know about country music."
Coe's first country album, The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy, has been described as alt-country, 'pre-punk' and "a hillbilly version of Marc Bolan's glitz and glitter". Credited influences on the album include Merle Haggard. In his early career, Coe was known for his unpredictable live performances, in which he would ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the stage and curse at his audience. Coe has also performed in a rhinestone suit and a mask which resembled that of the Lone Ranger, calling himself the 'Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy'.
The album Rebel Meets Rebel featured a song, "Cherokee Cry", which criticizes the United States government's treatment of Native Americans. When asked why he did not write more political songs, Coe replied, "I live in my own world, not thee world. I just write songs about what affects me in everyday life. At one point I wrote a song that was sort of a protest about when they were talking about drafting women into the military. It was about my son making it past the draft, but my daughter didn't. And I've done Farm Aid."
In his review of Coe's 1987 album A Matter of Life...and Death, Allmusic's Thom Jurek wrote, "Coe may have had some hits, but it is records like this that make one wonder if there was not a conspiracy to marginalize him and make him fail. Coe is a brilliant songwriter well into the 21st century, and deserves to be lauded along with the likes of [Willie] Nelson and [Waylon] Jennings and Kristofferson and Newbury – and even Cash."
Would You Lay With Me
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If my needs were strong, would you lay with me
Should my lips grow dry
Would you wet them, dear
In the midnight hour
Should my lips grow dry
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
If I give myself to you
Will you lay with me in the stream of life?
When the moon is full
Will you bathe with me?
Will you love me now?
When I'm down and out
In my time of trial
Will you stand by me?
Would you go away to another land?
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
If I give myself to you
Would you lay with me in a field of stone?
If my needs were strong
Would you lay with me?
The song "Would You Lay With Me" by David Allan Coe speaks of a deep desire for companionship and a shared connection that goes beyond physical intimacy. The first line, "Would you lay with me in a field of stone?" gives the impression of a desolate and harsh environment. The field of stone could refer to a cemetery or a desolate desert, symbolizing the hardships of life. The next two lines are straightforward: "If my needs were strong, would you lay with me?"; the singer is directly asking their potential partner if they would be there for them during their times of need.
In the next verse, the singer asks if their partner would still be there for them in trying times, offering a poignant image of dry lips in need of moisture. The repetition of the two lines emphasizes the importance of their partner's presence and support. The stanza beginning with "Would you go away to another land?" further emphasizes the importance of support in difficult times, with the singer asking if their partner would follow them even to the ends of the earth.
The final verse speaks of a desire for a shared life and shared experiences, even beyond difficult times. The singer asks if their partner would love them when they are down and out, and would stand by them during trials. This final stanza reminds us that the song's message is not just about physical intimacy or companionship; it is about the deeper love and support that is necessary in any successful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you lay with me in a field of stone?
If I were alone and desperate for your company, would you come and lay with me even in the harshest of environments?
If my needs were strong, would you lay with me
If I was in need of your comfort, would you selflessly be there for me?
Should my lips grow dry
If my mouth was parched and in need of hydration,
Would you wet them, dear
would you be willing to quench my thirst?
In the midnight hour
In the darkest moments of the night,
Should my lips grow dry
if my mouth was dry and aching for moisture,
Would you go away to another land?
Would you travel to the ends of the Earth,
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
and endure the most grueling conditions in order to be with me and provide for my needs?
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
Would you go beyond simply providing for me, and comfort me in my most dire circumstances?
If I give myself to you
If I offer you all of myself, without holding anything back,
Will you lay with me in the stream of life?
will you join me in the ebbs and flows of life, in all of its beauty and chaos?
When the moon is full
In those magical moments when the moon is at its brightest,
Will you bathe with me?
will you share in this intimate moment with me?
Will you love me now?
In this moment, right now, do you love me?
When I'm down and out
If I find myself in the most miserable of states,
In my time of trial
In these trying times,
Will you stand by me?
Will you be my rock and my support, there for me in every way?
Would you go away to another land?
again, would you do anything and go anywhere for me?
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
endure the harshest conditions imaginable to be with me?
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
even in my most dire circumstances, will you be there to comfort me?
If I give myself to you
once again, if I entrust you with all of myself,
Would you lay with me in a field of stone?
would you still choose to be with me, even in the harshest and most uninviting of environments, because of your love for me?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: David Allan Coe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ed Nah
Would you lay with me in a field of stone
If my needs were strong, would you lay with me
Should my lips grow dry,
Would you wet them, dear
In the midnight hour,
If my lips were dry
Would you go away to another land
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
If I give myself to you
Would you lay with me
In the stream of life
When the moon is full,
Would you bathe with me
Will you still love me now,
When I'm down and out
In my time of trial,
Will you stand by me
Would you go away to another land
Walk a thousand miles through the burning sand
Wipe the blood away from my dying hand
If I give myself to you
Would you lay with me
In a field of stone
If my needs were strong,
Would you lay with me
Myles O'Peter
For those that don't know, This is David Allen Coe, one of the greatest song writers of all time.
Of course those of us who know, we know.
Myles O'Peter
@FutileChamomile
Almost...
The song you were referring to was "Field of Stone" which Coe wrote as a single for Tanya Tucker. Zandt was credited by Coe somewhat, but recieved no royalties from Tucker. Johnny Cash was accused by Zandt of "stealing" one of his medleys which went nowhere in a suit.
Like i said, those of us who know.....know.
Research, man...
Carrie Lindsey
Actually he did write it as wedding vows for his brother then his brother sent it back telling him he had to make it a song. He wrote the song, Tanya sang it. But the original poster is correct. Do YOUR research dude.
R Burks
One of America's greatest talents!!!
Neil Williams
We do
Sara And David Howard/Gilley
This man is the pure definition of troubadour. Hes one of the greatest outlaws to ever live and play. Thank God he blessed us with DAC
Linda Lambert
This has always been a favorite song of mine - beautiful, just beautiful
HighSpeedNoDrag
Amen and I never knew he wrote this song. True Singer Song Writer.
Lisa Nunery
One of my late brothers favorite songs!! RIP Lynn Nestlehutt!! You are so missed!!! ❤❤❤
Robert Stroud
You and your family are in my prayers. May peace be with you