Introduction
Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson shared a friendship that spanned decades, yet they recorded only one duet together: the soul-stirring “Lay Me Down,” released in 2016.
The song’s poignant lyrics — “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.” — capture a message of hope and eternal rest.
On October 4, 2022, at the age of 90, Loretta passed away. Willie honored her memory with a heartfelt tribute:
Loretta was a good friend and fantastically talented. She was a great writer, singer, and human being. I’ll miss her a lot.
Celebration at the Grand Ole Opry
On October 30, 2022, Loretta’s family held a public memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. CMT broadcast the ceremony live, allowing fans everywhere to join in celebrating her legacy.
An Unforgettable Performance
During the service, Willie’s son, Lukas Nelson, and Loretta’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, took the stage to perform “Lay Me Down.” Their rendition was so moving it gave many in the audience goosebumps. CMT described their duet as “emotional,” and the performance went on to earn a nomination for CMT Performance of the Year at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
On the red carpet, Emmy shared the most meaningful advice Loretta ever gave her:
The greatest advice she gave me was to love God. She was such a lover of God, and she always urged me to listen for His voice and follow it.
Continuing the Musical Heritage
Watch Emmy and Lukas’s award-nominated performance below — a tribute that made both Loretta and Willie very proud:
Emmy later competed on Season 22 of American Idol, placing in the Top 5. With her own voice and style, she honors her grandmother’s remarkable musical legacy.