Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter & Willie Nelson’s Son Perform Loretta & Willie’s Only Duet

Country music legends Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson were lifelong friends, but surprisingly, they only ever recorded one song together. That duet was the hauntingly beautiful “Lay Me Down” in 2016.

The song’s lyrics carried a bittersweet message about peace and letting go:

“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.”

When Loretta passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90, Willie honored her with heartfelt words:

“Loretta was a good friend and fantastically talented. She was a great writer, singer, and human being. I’ll miss her a lot.”

A Tribute That Gave Everyone Goosebumps

To celebrate Loretta’s life, her family held a public memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on October 30, 2022. CMT broadcast the service live so fans everywhere could join in honoring the Queen of Country.

One of the most emotional highlights came when Willie’s son Lukas Nelson and Loretta’s granddaughter Emmy Russell performed “Lay Me Down.” Their heartfelt rendition was described by CMT as “emotional,” and it’s easy to see why—many fans admitted it brought tears to their eyes.

That performance later earned a nomination for CMT Performance of the Year at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. On the red carpet, Emmy shared the best advice her grandmother ever gave her:

“The most advice that she has given me throughout the years was to love God. She was such a lover of God and I think it was more of, ‘Listen to him and follow his voice.’”

Emmy Carries the Torch

Since then, Emmy Russell has continued building her own career in music. She went on to compete on Season 22 of American Idol, finishing in the Top 5. While she’s following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Emmy is also carving out her own path—keeping Loretta’s legacy alive while bringing her own voice to a new generation.

Watch Emmy and Lukas’ moving performance of “Lay Me Down” below. It’s a duet that Loretta and Willie would be proud of, and one that reminds us of the timeless bond between two country greats.