What song do you want at your funeral?

Subject: Lyr Add: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JAKE THACKRAY
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 03:35 PM

This is a blatant spin-off from the " what song should I know you by thread?". That was too hard for me to answer but funerals were mentioned several times and I have always been clear on what I wanted played on that occasion.

The Last Will and Testament of Jake Thackray

By Jake Thackray

I the undermentioned by this document
Do declare my true intention
My last will, my testament
When I turn up me toes, when I rattle me clack
When I agonise
I want no great, wet weepings, no tearing of hair
No wringing of hands, no sighs, no lack-a-days
No woe is me's,and none of your sad adieus
Go, go, go and get the priest and then
Go get the booze boys

Death where is thy victory?Grave, where is thy sting?
When I snuff it, bury me quickly then let carousal begin
But not a do with a few ham sandwiches,
A sausage roll or two and a small port wine please
Roll the carpet right back get cracking
With your old gay gordons and your knees up,
Shake it up, sup it up, live it up kind of time
And if the coppers come around then tell them
The party's mine, boys

Let best beef be eaten, fill every empty glass
Let no breast be beaten, let no tooth be gnashed
Don't bother with a fancy tombstone, or a big deal angel
Or a little copper flower pot
Grow a dog rose in my eyes or a pussy willow
But no forget me nots, no epitaphs, no keepsakes
You can let me memory slip
You can say a prayer or two for me soul then
But make it quick boys

Lady if your bosom is heaving
Don't waste your bosom on me
Heave it for a man who is breathing, a man who can feel
A man who can see
And to my cronies you can read me books
You can drive around in me motor car
You can fish your trout with my fly and tackle
You can play on my guitar and sing my songs,
Wear me shirts,You can even settle me debts
You can kiss my little missus if she's willing but
No regrets boys

Your rose buds are numbered,
Gather them now for rosebuds sake
And if your hands aren't too encumbered
Gather a bud or two for Jake

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 03:42 PM

Sorry chaps, I just realised there has already been a thread on this but for some reason it passed me by....still, gave me a chance to give Jake an airing and there's lots of new members who might want to think about it.

Subject: Lyr Add: LAY DOWN YOUR WEARY TUNE (Bob Dylan)
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 03:43 PM

LAY DOWN YOUR WEARY TUNE- Bob Dylan

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

Struck by the sounds before the sun,
I knew the night had gone.
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
Against the drums of dawn.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

The ocean wild like an organ played,
The seaweed's wove its strands.
The crashin' waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and sands.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws.
The cryin' rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

The last of leaves fell from the trees
And clung to a new love's breast.
The branches bare like a banjo played
To the winds that listened best.

I gazed down in the river's mirror
And watched its winding strum.
The water smooth ran like a hymn
And like a harp did hum.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

Spaw

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Katcina
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 03:47 PM

If I were to have a funeral, it would be Jud Strunk's ":Daisy A Day" and Barbara Striesand's "The Way We Were", but I aint. Just gonna get creamated and have a friend dump what's left in the Chippewa Flowage to be so much more gravel in the bed of that nice water.

Subject: Lyr Add: RESTLESS FAREWELL (Bob Dylan)
From: flattop
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 04:00 PM

If I were a Dyldomaniac I'd rather hear Restless Farewell at my funeral.
Restless Farewell

Oh all the money that in my whole life I did spend,
Be it mine right or wrongfully,
I let it slip gladly past the hands of my friends
To tie up the time most forcefully.
But the bottles are done,
We've killed each one
And the table's full and overflowed.
And the corner sign
Says it's closing time,
So I'll bid farewell and be down the road.

Oh ev'ry girl that ever l've touched,
I did not do it harmfully.
And ev'ry girl that ever I've hurt,
I did not do it knowin'ly.
But to remain as friends and make amends
You need the time and stay behind.
And since my feet are now fast
And point away from the past,
I'll bid farewell and be down the line.

Oh ev'ry foe that ever I faced,
The cause was there before we came.
And ev'ry cause that ever I fought,
I fought it full without regret or shame.
But the dark does die
As the curtain is drawn and somebody's eyes
Must meet the dawn.
And if I see the day
I'd only have to stay,
So I'll bid farewell in the night and be gone.

Oh, ev'ry thought that's strung a knot in my mind,
I might go insane if it couldn't be sprung.
But it's not to stand naked under unknowin' eyes,
It's for myself and my friends my stories are sung.
But the time ain't tall,
Yet on time you depend and no word is possessed
By no special friend.
And though the line is cut,
It ain't quite the end,
I'll just bid farewell till we meet again.

Oh a false clock tries to tick out my time
To disgrace, distract, and bother me.
And the dirt of gossip blows into my face,
And the dust of rumors covers me.
But if the arrow is straight
And the point is slick,
It can pierce through dust no matter how thick.
So I'll make my stand
And remain as I am
And bid farewell and not give a damn.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: tiggerdooley
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 04:17 PM

'Satiisfied Mind' by Jeff Buckley and 'Take Me To The Mardi Gras' by Paul Simon. Possibly 'It's Not Easy Being Green' by Kermit the Frog.

Oh there are too many!!!!

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 04:30 PM

I'd like a song I can join in on. Burl

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: R!
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 04:37 PM

I'd like to think that the chorus of McPherson's Farewell, especially the first two lines, accurately described how I lived:

Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, Sae dauntingly gaed he, He play'd a spring, and danc'd it round Below the gallows-tree.

Ta ra, Reen

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 04:39 PM

I dont have a favorite funeral song, but, I do have a piece for someone to speak. It is the last part of William Cullen Bryants' THANNATOPSIS

So live, that when your summons comes
To join that innumerable caravan
That moves to that mysterious realm
Where each shall take his place in the silent halls of death
Thou go not like the quarry slave at night
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained by an unfaultering trust
Approach thy grave like one who wraps the covers of his couch about him
And lies down to pleasant dreams.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: InOBU
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:21 PM

What ever has just hit the charts, 300 years from today...
Larry

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: NH Dave
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:44 PM

    Probably a piper to do Black Bear and if he insists Amazing Grace, and the congregation singing a couple of verses of Eternal Father Strong to Save(its a military thing.)

Dave

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Peg
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:12 PM

good one Larry!

Galileo, by The Indigo Girls

How Fortunate the Man with None, by Dead Can Dance

Dun Ringtill, by Jethro Tull

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:15 PM

I don't wanna die...I don't wanna die......I would however like to sing parting glass at my own funeral...you OK Morticia....hell of a thread.....!

Spot (the evangelist) dog

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Diva
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:31 PM

I haven't got a song (yet) but I must have,at some time in the proceedings, the pipe tune, The Glasgow Police Pipers. It has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it at Rothbury many years ago. I have been known to stop complete (pipe carrying) strangers at festivals and ask them to play it for me......and guess what... they usually do.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:32 PM

When the road finally runs out of bricks, I'm going to be sprinkled amongst the apple trees in my friends old, old orchard. I would like all of my singing friends to sing 'Art Thou Troubled' in our beautiful little island church and I'd like a soloist to stand in the orchard and sing 'Goin Home'. LL

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:41 PM

Here's the original thread.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: kimmers
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:43 PM

I'd want a traditional Anglican-Episcopalian funeral with all my favorite hymns... whatever they are then (they change a bit from year to year). But I'd also want a good wake, so that my friends can gather 'round the piano and sing all the old hokey songs and knock back a drop o' the Irish. Hmm, maybe we should start practicing now!

A lady of our parish died a couple of months ago. It was not unexpected, as she had fought bone cancer for a number of months. She refused to be gloomy, but instead said things like, "You know you're dying when you stop buying green bananas!" She sat down with the rector and planned her own funeral, choosing her favorite hymns. We laughed at the stories and sang with tears in our eyes, knowing that Ruth was listening with joy as we sang.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Metchosin
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 06:46 PM

Rowana, for me not a Farewell or a Lament but Old Blind Dog's style, as MacPherson's Rant. I hope when I go it will be a cause for celebration not tears. Life's to precious to let go of graciously and gracefully. Maybe when i've had at least my full fourscore and ten I'll finally want to lay my burden down. In either case have many a wee dram on me byes.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT'S THE LIFE OF A MAN?
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:09 PM

WHAT'S THE LIFE OF A MAN

As I was a walking one morning at ease
A viewing the leaves as they fell from the trees
All in slow motion appearing to be
And those that had withered, they fell from the trees

What's the life of a man anymore than the leaves
A man has his season, so why should we grieve
Though all thru this life, we appear fine and gay
Like the leaves we will wither and soon fade away

If you'd seen the leaves just a few days ago
So beautiful and bright they all seemed to grow
A frost came upon them and withered them all
A storm came upon them and down they did fall

If you look in the churchyard, there you will see
Those that have passed like the leaves from the trees
When age and affliction upon us do fall
Like the leaves we must wither and down we must fall

...and several more

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: SeanM
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:20 PM

Most definitely The Night Pat Murphy Died. When I go, I want a wake that'll make any old brickhauler pale in shame... I fully expect my friends to make a valiant attempt to drink the country dry.

Me

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: tiggerdooley
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:27 PM

My Mum has told me that if I go before her, there's no way I'm having The Tigger Song at my funeral, but she says 'Take Me to the Mardi Gras' is OK. Gee, thanks Mum!!! So all you people out there who think you've got your funeral songs sorted, remember, you won't be there to stop them playing what THEY want to play

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Katcina
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:42 PM

But you are wrong about that tigger. My husband most certainly was there at his funeral and it was done exactly to his wishes,contrary to his familys, because he told me what he wanted.

Since I know that I will out live most of creation I really ain't too worried none about what the few people left do.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 09:35 PM

For me, "Linden Lea", I think.  'Spaw's choice is pretty damn good, mind.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Linda Mattson
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 10:12 PM

Yes, Spaw's choice - Lay Down your Weary Tune, which soothed me when my mother died. Also Kendall's choice, Thanatopsis, perhaps we should find a tune for it. The whole poem is wonderful. Some more lines:

...Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again, And, lost each human trace, surrendering up Thine individual being, shalt though go To mix forever with the elements ...

And then, perhaps an English Music Hall song: Swim Sam Swim Sam Swim Sam OR When father papered the parlor... -Linda

Subject: Lyr Add: WE BOTH HAD A VERY GOOD TIME (Brimstone)
From: Bugsy
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 10:30 PM

Funnily enough, after a close call last week, Annie and I were discussing this just the other night I've decided on; Fred Small's "Everything Possible", and this one.

WE BOTH HAD A VERY GOOD TIME
(Derek Brimstone)

How mamy miles have we wandered side by side
laughing and talking, sometimes we even crie
well the long long road has ended to baby dry your eyes
come here let me kiss you, you know I'm going to miss you
and we both had a very good time

how many bar rooms, how many cities and towns
how many faces - how many sights and sounds
and how many places did you hear me sing my songs
Well laughing or grieving we broke about even
and we both had a very good time

well remember all the good times, forget all about the bad
you know I really really really loved you - i gave you all I had
didn't I always tell you some day this time would come
well I'm sorry my dear, but now that it's here
we both had a very good time

This ain't no time for sadness, It ain't no time for tears,
For happiness just fades away, then it disappears,
You've got many more years than I have - that's why I set you free
So be glad that you met me and baby don't forget me
And we both had a very good time.

So then how many miles, have we wandered side by side,
Laughing and talking, sometimes we even cried.
But the long long road has ended, so baby dry your eyes.
Come here let me kiss you, you know I'm gonna miss you,
And we both had a very good time - I mean
We both had a very good time


Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: GUEST,PattyG
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 10:36 PM

How interesting that I revisited to ask the experts about a song that I think would be perfect for a funeral and lo and behold, there's a funeral song thread! I recently acquired a CD made by Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Dusty Rogers, "Say Yes To Tomorrow." All of the tunes are lovely, but *such* beautiful lyrics to, "The Best Years of My Life!" If that wasn't sung at Roy and/or Dale's funeral, I can't imagine why not. I'm wondering if anyone knows how I might find the sheet music. It was written by Mark Craig of Mark & Jeff Music - BMI. I'd be most grateful for your input.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 11:23 PM

I think an 'oft requested song might be: "Who Will Sing For Me?" ... sounds good to me, anyway .... CHEERS, Bob (deckman) Nelson

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Troll
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 11:31 PM

Sweet Sunny South
Who Will Sing For Me
It Was A Very Good Year
And my Grandfathers favorite, Bound For The Promised Land

troll

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: jofield
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:28 AM

"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: sledge
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 02:10 AM

Fairports "meet on the ledge"

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 03:08 AM

I want Emmylou Harris singing "Til I gain control again" and "Hobo's Lullaby"

rr

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From:
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 04:10 AM

The Old Man by the Fureys

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Big Tim
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 04:26 AM

When Woody Guthrie died in 1967 I sent a short letter of condolence to his manager Harold Leventhal asking him to pass it on to Woody's family. About two months later I got a handwritten card from Marjorie Guthrie saying "Woody said 'no funeralizing' so in January we are all having a big concert here and we will all SING! Wish you could be with us". So no funeralizing but please sing Dylan's "Every Grain of Sand".

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: zander (inactive)
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 05:18 AM

That fine group Cockersdale singing Keith Marsdens 'Funeral Song ' and Noel Murphy singing ' Paddy and the Barrel '

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: GUEST,Gary Owens
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 06:25 AM

At THE wake, "Jug of This", accompanied by adding a pint to my ashes during the last verse ( .. transport me then, into a fish, and let me swim, in a jug of this. )for drama. Then, of course, a recording of "The Parting Glass", sung by guess who.

g

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: cetmst
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 06:46 AM

A list of songs that move me. Would they could do so at my funeral: Midnight Prayerlight - Cathy Fink The World Is Turning Toward the Morning - Gordon Bok Be Thou My Vision Your Long Journey Sheep May Safely Graze - J.S.Bach Sleepers Awake - J.S.Bach Give Me the Roses While I Live Remember Me Old Rosin the Beau Who Will Sing For Me I Have Been a Good Boy - Carl Sandberg The Parting Glass The Mary Ellen Carter Keewanee Light A good friend had "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" - very effective

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: R!
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 07:47 AM

I just remembered something that happened at my beloved Uncle Eddie's funeral. We are a staunch Navy family. Grandfather was in the Navy, serving in both world wars. His son was in the Navy and all six daughters married Navy men. We are also Roman Catholic. When Uncle Eddie died, dearest Aunt Doris, the center of our family, requested a particular piece of music be played at the funeral Mass. The priest said no. Aunt Doris insisted. After some wrangling, she got her way. Therefore, it was with happiness and pride that we were able say our final goodbyes to Uncle Eddie as the church organ rang out with "Anchors Aweigh".

Ta ra, Reen

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: GUEST,willa
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 07:54 AM

Not a song (yet), but this piece by Joyce Grenfell struck me as the perfect epitaph when I read it many years ago; I came across it again recently. "If i should die before the rest of you, Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone, Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice, But be the usual selves that I have known. Weep, if you must. Parting is hell, But life goes on, So sing as well.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: walkinman
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:04 AM

Without question...."Sunshine On The Land", by; David Wilcox.

WM

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: tiggerdooley
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:46 AM

My Grandad wants 'I Know a Millionaire'. Cool!

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:48 AM

Who Dies, by James Keelaghan
The Universe Song, Monty Python
The Pilgrim, Kris Kristofferson
And if Len Wallace can be there, I want him to sing his folksinger verse to F@uck Off And Die!

;-)

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Deni
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:55 AM

Mary's Dream

...the storm is past and I'm at rest so Mary weep no more for me...

Not that I know anybody called Mary...

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: kendall
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:05 AM

Guest willa, that is beautiful. Anchors a weigh also makes sense, as does Weary Hobo.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:17 AM

Keep a twinkle in your eye by buck and bubbles, Jesu, joy of mans desiring by Bach and Peaches en regalia by Zappa. Mind you I want a long time to perhaps change my mind several times

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: wdyat12
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:27 AM

Amazing Grace sung by Judy Collins accompanied by a lone bagpiper across the bay.

wdyat12

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 10:31 AM

Roseville Fair-Geoff sang that to me on the night of my mother's funeral - on his knees in a crowded room and I'd like to think of an eternity dancing all night to fiddles and banjos.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 10:40 AM

Someone else in the casket.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Spud Murphy
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 03:04 PM

No funeral, please, but it's okay to play Scott Joplin's 'Solace' and/or Eubie Blake's 'Memories of You.' as they stuff me into the incinerator.

Spud.

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: winniemih
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 03:05 PM

I'd like a really good fiddler to play "Da Slokit Light" (the light which has gone out) by the late Tom Anderson, a Shetland fiddler/composer, wrote to lament his wife's passing. Winnie

Subject: RE: What song do you want at your funeral?
From: Nemesis
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 05:06 PM

AT my Grandmother's funeral recently I held out long and hard for "Zorba the Greek" (which she loved) for the committal music - i.e. music to close curtains by...Well, not surprisingly I was unanimously voted down.

So.....It ain't folk, but when the curtains go around - I'M PUTTING THIS IN WRITING HERE!! I want Curtis Mayfield/M People "Move on Up"

"....Moving on up ..time to break free ...nothing's gonna stop me ...""