Lay Me Down

24 Jun Lay Me Down

I credit the artists of my childhood like Crosby, Stills & Nash with teaching me the art of harmony.  This is a true favorite, one of their lesser-known but most beautiful, written by Crosby’s son, James Raymond.  It appeared on Crosby & Nash’s final album and David Crosby shared in interviews later in life that this song is the one he is perhaps most proud of.  It is full of rich metaphors about redemption and surrendering to a greater power for forgiveness.

Composer & Copyright

This song was written by James Raymond, as performed by Crosby & Nash, arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird.

Recording

Inspiration Track

Lyrics

Driving out through the windmills|
And some of them were still
Sometimes it’s hard to catch the wind
And bend it to your will

Even though it’s hard to know
Just how the story ends
The road is long and it takes its time
On that you can depend

Chorus:
Lay me down in the river
And wash this place away
Break me down like sand from a stone
Maybe I’ll be whole again one day
Lay me down, lay me down
Maybe I’ll be whole again
Lay me down, lay me down
Maybe I’ll be whole again

Somewhere between heaven and hell
A soul knows where it’s been
I want to feel my spirit lifted up
And catch my breath again

Chorus, with 1 extra repetition at the end

Guitar Arrangement

Coming soon.

Teaching Notes

Coming soon.

Key: Ebm