Quote of the Day by David Allan Coe: “Teach My Children to Love! They’ll Learn To…” – What the Legendary Singer Says About Love and Hate

The legendary singer David Allan Coe reportedly passed away on April 29, 2026, leaving behind a legacy in country music. The iconic singer and songwriter is known for his blue-collar anthem Take This Job and Shove It, and other country songs like The Ride and Longhaired Redneck. While he was a legend, his lifestyle made him a bit of a pariah in the genre.

Allan Coe has written many profound lyrics, talking about his childhood in penitentiaries, his life as an outlaw, and more. One of his legendary quotes says,

Teach my children to love! They’ll learn to hate on their own

Read on to know what David Allan Coe meant with the lines.

Artist Name	David Allan Coe
Popular Genre	Country, Blues
Birth	September 6, 1939
Death	April 29, 2026

What Does David Allan Coe Mean by His Quote?

Legendary country singer David Allan Coe is known for his profound lyrics that captured the outlaw movement. Many of his quotes have spoken about identity in a changing world, reflecting his troubled childhood, which was spent across penitentiaries and prisons. 

Sayings like “All men are created equal, it is only men themselves who place themselves above equality” talk about human selfishness and greed, and offer commentary on equality. Similarly, his words, “Teach my children to love! They’ll learn to hate on their own,” talk about the world and how it shapes an individual with its cruelty.

The saying can apply to parenting as well, advising families to show love for their children and be a safe haven when the outside world can be cruel and teach them various ways to hate. The only thing under the control of parents is to teach their children how to love; the world will give enough reasons to show hate, rage, and other negative emotions.

Blue-Collar Hero Had a Battle With COVID Years Before His Death

David Allan Coe is known for his country and blues music. Beginning to write songs while in prison, the singer was reportedly pushed by blues legend B.B. King to ditch the blues and transition to country music, he recalled (via Rolling Stone),

B.B. said, ‘You’re a great blues singer, but, man, you gonna starve to death. Nobody wants to hear a white boy sing the blues.’

Allan Coe has also been long criticized for his allegedly homophobic, misogynistic, and racist lyrics. He also pleaded guilty to impeding and breaching tax-related laws, with the IRS fining him nearly $1 million, $980,911.86 to be exact (via Variety). He also reportedly battled COVID-19 back in 2021 and came out surviving (via Fox).

The cause of his death is yet to be revealed. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, who, in a statement to Rolling Stone, said,

My husband, my friend, my confidant, and my life for many years. I’ll never forget him, and I don’t want anyone else to ever forget him either.

The singer was 86 years old. He will forever be remembered for his iconic songs and brutally honest personality.

Which is your favorite song from David Allan Coe? Comment below.