Lynn was born in Butcher Hollow, Van Lear, Kentucky in 1932. According to Songfacts, Loretta Lynn's superstar Country career started in 1960 when she recorded " I'm a Honky Tonk Girl " as her debut single. The song was a minor hit, climbing to #14 on Billboard's C&W Chart. By the late 1960s she had begun picking up various Female Vocalist of the Year trophies and in 1972 the singer became the first woman in history to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year trophy. Lynn dominated the Country charts throughout the rest of the decade and has continued to record hit records through the ensuing years. Her 50th anniversary year began with the award of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement on January 31, 2010.
Lynn released over 70 albums. She is the sister of country singer Crystal Gayle (born in Paintsville, Kentucky) and Peggy Sue, and is a cousin of Patty Loveless. Her father was a coal miner in Van Lear. Her biography was made into the 1980 film, Coal Miner's Daughter.
Lay me Down
Loretta Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the eye of the storm, in the belly of a whale
My spirit stood on solid ground
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
When I was a child, I cried
Until my needs were satisfied
My needs have grown up, pound for pound
When they lay me down someday
My soul will rise, then fly away
This old world will turn around
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
This life isn't fair, it seems
It's filled with tears and broken dreams
There are no tears where I am bound
And I'll be at peace when they lay me down
When they lay me down some day
My soul will rise, then fly away
This old world will turn around
I'll be at peace when they lay down
When they lay me down some day
My soul will rise and fly away
This old world will turn around
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
When I was a child, I cried
Loretta Lynn’s “Lay Me Down” is a poignant country ballad about death and finding peace. The lyrics narrate the story of a person who feels overwhelmed by the challenges of life and seeks comfort and serenity in death. The use of metaphors, such as being in the "eye of the storm" or the "belly of a whale," create vivid imagery to describe the singer's emotional state. The line, "My spirit stood on solid ground," suggests a sense of resolve and acceptance of mortality.
The later stanza reflects on the past, where the singer reveals that as a child, crying served as a means to get what she wanted. But as she has grown older, her expectations have evolved. She no longer cries over minor things and understands that the purpose of life isn't to pursue joy constantly. The lyrics imply a yearning for spiritual fulfillment that one strives to attain before death. The repeated phrase, "I'll be at peace when they lay me down," has a calming effect and emphasizes the song's theme of serene finality.
Overall, the song is introspective and contemplative, expressing the inevitability of death and the need for inner peace, conveying a majestic message to take control over one's own death.
Line by Line Meaning
I raised my head and set myself
I faced my challenges and put myself in the midst of difficulties
In the eye of the storm, in the belly of a whale
I faced my fears head-on and endured tough times
My spirit stood on solid ground
I found strength and confidence within myself
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I will have a sense of peace and tranquility when I leave this life
When I was a child, I cried
When I was young, I was emotional and expressed myself through tears
Until my needs were satisfied
Until my needs were met, I continued to cry
My needs have grown up, pound for pound
As I've grown, my needs and challenges have increased in difficulty
When they lay me down someday
When I eventually pass away
My soul will rise, then fly away
My spirit will leave my physical body and ascend to the afterlife
This old world will turn around
The world will continue to exist and move forward without me
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I will finally experience a sense of peace and freedom from life's struggles
This life isn't fair, it seems
Life doesn't always go the way we want it to
It's filled with tears and broken dreams
We often experience sadness and disappointment in life
There are no tears where I am bound
In the afterlife, there will be no more sadness or tears
And I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I will finally find the peace and contentment that eluded me in life when I pass away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARCHETTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@traycee6091
My heart literally broke into a million pieces when I heard we had lost this one. She has been and forever will be 1 of my most favorites simply because she was a real one! She said what she wanted to say and didn't sugarcoat it and that's how it should be. She was 1 of the absolute greatest.
I remember showing her to my little one who at the time was in a princess phase, when she seen Loretta in her beautiful dress, it was purple dress, my baby girl gasp and said,
"Oh my goodness she's beautiful! I want a purple dress like hers! Is she a princess too Mommy?"
I said,
"No baby she's not a princess, she's a queen"
I immediately ordered my little princess a purple dress that looked as close as I could get it to the one Loretta was wearing. When it came and I let her open it the look on her face was EVERYTHING!
She would put her purple Loretta dress on, get her little guitar, get on top of our coffee table, play her guitar and sing her lil heart out.
I will never ever forget that and
I will never ever forget you Loretta.
Rest Easy In Paradise Beautiful Queen! 💜
@juliekmunden
RIP Loretta. What a true country legend. She paved the way for all female country singers today. That voice is amazing and she had to do so much to get her songs on the radio and to the public. Love this song with Willie.
@B.A.Pilgrim
legend, God bless her...
@christinashaffer9424
Rest peacefully Loretta.
@SUGARXYLER
Dear Reaper, bring back Loretta....and take Willie instead
@scottweeks5448
@@SUGARXYLER no! Taylor Swift.
@Bagglady889
She was wonderful and authentic ❤
@CriticalListener
Beautiful. Not sad, but a tribute to strength and resilience. Tears in my eyes at its beauty and honesty. Thank you, Willie, and rest in peace, Loretta.
@cherylvoss6083
I feel the same.
Beautiful song.
@lorainelambert8548
I just came across this, WOW, why haven't I heard this before now? I've got it now.❤️❤️❤️❤️🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵🥰👏👏👏
@christopherjohnsongmail-uj5pp
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love ❤us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?