Lay Me Down

In 1978, on a cold February day like this one, I sat in my freshman college dorm, forlorn and frustrated. I hadn’t written a song or lyric in months. In breakthrough, this simple poem spilled out from typewriter to paper. 

Lay Me Down

By Joe Wilcox

When I die I’ll ask for no coffin
Lay me down on a forest hillside
This will be my piece of springtime
My last desire fulfilled
Lay me down on a hillside
Lay me down

When I die I’ll ask for no mourning
Smile for me as you remember old days
This will be my soul forever
My last desire fulfilled
Smile for me and remember
Lay me down

The light shines o’er the horizon
Going to some distant galaxy
We live on in that light passing
My Last desire fulfilled
Lay me down on a hillside
Lay me down

© 1978 Joe Wilcox

Editor’s Note: This work is All Rights Reserved.

Photo Credit: Jitze Couperus