What does Dal e poi la coda mean at the end of a musical composition?

"Dal e poi la coda" is an Italian musical term that translates to "from the beginning and then the tail." It instructs musicians to return to a specified section of the piece (often marked with a "D.S." or "Dal Segno") and then proceed to the coda, which is the concluding passage of the composition. This direction helps create a structured flow within the music, guiding performers through repeated sections before reaching the finale.