Lay Me Down
Loretta Lynn Willie Nelson Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of "Lay Me Down" by Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson speak to the desire for peace and acceptance in the face of life's challenges and its inevitable end. The first verse describes the singer's inner strength in the midst of a storm, evoking the image of being in the belly of a whale - a place of darkness and danger, but also safety and stillness. The second verse refers to the singer's childhood struggles and how they have grown and evolved. Despite life's hardships, the singer finds solace in the knowledge that when they die, their soul will fly away from this world and find peace with God. The repeated refrain of "I'll be at peace when they lay me down" serves as a reminder that death is not to be feared, but embraced as a natural and inevitable part of life.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written by Willie Nelson specifically for Loretta Lynn, who had previously announced her retirement from music. Nelson convinced her to record one more album, and "Lay Me Down" became the title track and lead single. The song went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 2004. Another notable fact is that this was the first time Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson had recorded a duet together, despite having been friends and fellow country music icons for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I raised my head and set myself
I lifted myself up and determined to face the difficulties head-on
In the eye of the storm, in the belly of a whale
I challenged myself by placing myself in the most difficult and uncomfortable situations
My spirit stood on solid ground
I remained firm and strong in my beliefs and convictions
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I will find tranquility when I pass away and am at rest
When I was a child, I cried
When I was young, I expressed my needs and emotions through tears
Until my needs were satisfied
Until my desires and necessities were met and fulfilled
My needs have grown up, pound for pound
As I've matured, my wants and necessities have developed and increased in importance and weight
When they lay me down someday
At the time of my passing, when my body is put to rest
My soul will rise, then fly away
My spirit will leave this world and move on to the next
This old world will turn around
The world will continue to exist and change even after my passing
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I will finally find peace and rest when my body is laid to rest
This life isn't fair, it seems
Life can often be challenging and bring disappointment
It's filled with tears and broken dreams
It can be full of sorrow and unfulfilled hopes
There are no tears where I am bound
In the afterlife, there is no room for sadness
And I'll be at peace when they lay me down
Only in death, will I find peace and rest from the struggles of life
When they lay me down some day
When the time comes for me to depart from this world
My soul will rise and fly away
My spirit will leave my body and journey to the next world
This old world will turn around
Life will continue around the world even after I pass away
I'll be at peace when they lay me down
I'll finally find peace and rest when my body is finally put to rest
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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?