Funeral Tunes, songs that heal

Subject: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: mactheturk
Date: 18 May 00 - 10:55 AM

Some may consider this to be a morbid topic but I see it as an opportunity. Most of the traditional songs played at funerals are mediocre at best, overly sad and solemn. I would like to compile a list of positive, uplifting tunes that better serve the dual purpose of celebreation and healing.

I'm sure everyone has a favorite or two that apply, but no dirges please!

Your special song, at that special time, may be the best gift that you ever give.

Mac

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:05 AM

My family "culture" does memorial services, rather than funerals, and we tend to sing the Dearly Departed's favorite, whatever that is. When doing funerals in other (not my own) ethnic groups, I am always deeply moved by Amazing Grace.
But remember the (sorry) Star Trek where they think that Ensign Ro and Geordi are dead and Data has to plan the memorial service, and he does it à la New Orleans? Now that is how to celebrate life rather than mourn death!

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: MMario
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:06 AM

Two songs from my nephew's funeral service, that have become favorites of mine. "Here I am Lord" and uhmmmmmm, I don't know the title, but the chorus goes:

I will raise you up, on eagles wings
bear you on the breath of dawn
make you to shine like the sun
and hold you in the palm of my hand

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:17 AM

As if I'm not in a foul enough mood today.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:22 AM

I think Mary Ellen Carter may be one of the best of these.

We like to introduce it by saying that the only way to write a happy song about a shipwreck is to sink the ship in the very first line, so it has nowhere to go but up.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: richardw
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:30 AM

At my father' funeral (he was a musician) my wife and I led the service in singing "The Leaving Shanty".

It's time to go now, Haul away down channel haul away down channel It's the sail-ing tide.

When my time is over Haul away for heaven Haul away for heaven It's the sail-ing tide

etc.

Worked for me

By my father's request a friend also sang How great thou art.

At my mother's we stcuk to hymns she had requested, but told lots fo good stores.

Richard

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:31 AM

This isn't folk (in a way it may be) but the 3rd movement in Mahler's Symphony #1 is a funeral march based on Frere Jacques, and in my view is beautiful.

Rana

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Mbo
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:52 AM

Ah yes, Mrrz, that was "The Next Phase"...my sister loves that episode! My favorite part is when Geordi kicks the Romulan through the wall! BTW bizarre alert...if they WERE phase-shifted, and could pass through anything, how was Ro able to touch her helm station? A good funeral song of healing? Definately "Spirit in the Sky", "Old Rosin the Beau" (!), and "Hand Me The Wine and The Dice" from Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Wesley S
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:01 PM

From The Weavers -

"While I'm on my journey don't you weep after me - 3x

Darlin' don't you weep after me.

Every lonely river must go home to the sea - 3x

Darlin' don't you weep after me."

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO DIES? (James Keelaghan)^^
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:04 PM

James Keelaghans "Who Dies" is the best in my opinion... Upbeat tune, great lyrics, and it's a sing-along!! LOL!!!!

WHO DIES?

A nephew once asked me when he was quite young
Who dies? I said, Everyone dies.
No use denying it one day you're done
Oh, everyone dies
Princes and paupers there's no one immune
And no one who'll escape their demise
So you'd better make use of each day that you're given
Oh everyone dies

Now people have pondered this time and again
Who dies? Everyone dies.
We suspect that we're more than mere mortal remains
Oh everyone dies
Wise men and prophets they've all had their say
On the nature of our afterlives
But incase there's no beer there we'll have one more round
Oh everyone dies.

Your time may be short or your time may be long
Who dies? Everyone dies
But it's going to happen as sure as you're born
Oh everyone dies
Friends and relations and all we hold dear
Will one day pass to the other side
So we'd better embrace them as long as they're here
Oh everyone dies.

And a quote from Gladiator...
Death smiles at us all. The best a man can hope to do is smile back.

{~` ^^

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Wesley S
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:06 PM

There more to that that song but this is all I can remember sitting at my desk at work. It's a rather upbeat tempo also. Easy to get folks to sing along .

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:13 PM

The Great Storm is Over is one of my favorites.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:21 PM

James Keelaghan, when he performed Who Dies, told us about being approached by a lady after a concert (in NY State, I believe), who loved the song. She was involved (again from memory) with an AIDS hospice. She thought the song was wonderfully uplifting.

Rana

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Bert
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:28 PM

This is the best I can do.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:32 PM

Inspired Bert........I'm sorry you were so inspired my friend, but that is truly beautiful.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:36 PM

Yes, I have a hot one, "If you could see me now."

Getting lyrics, post later.

Wasn't there a thread or two on this recently? Blue clicky anyone?

~S~

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Sourdough
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:43 PM

WHen I was in school, there was a hymn I particularly loved, I think it is called "The Navy Hymn". I am sure that Kendall and Dave know it well. I want it sung at my own funeral. The lines that particularly eaffect me are: Grant to little children
Visions bright of thee,
Guard the sailor tossing
On the deep blue sea.

I once had to design a funeral for a character who died on a television soap opera. I remember I had a lot of fun going through appropriate music for this Midwestern funeral of a youngish middle-aged Baptist. I went looking for the file and can't find it but I think that I fisished "upbeat" with "I'll Fly Away".

Sourdough

Subject: Lyr Add: SUNSHINE ON THE LAND^^
From: mactheturk
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:44 PM

SUNSHINE ON THE LAND
by: David Wilcox

I went to see an old friend
Who was soon to pass away.
He said, "My life has been so good to me.
Now I still have one more day."

Now he said that as he watched the morning sun
and then he smiled my way.
Because he said that every morning,
He lived his life that way.

He said, "I am the sunshine.
You are the sunshine.
We are the sunshine.
Help me understand.
We are the sunshine on the land."

---

HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 10-Jan-2001

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 May 00 - 01:11 PM

Gordon Bok's "Turning Toward the Morning" has helped us on such occasions. It reminds the survivors that life does go on, and they're the ones that need the message, I think.

Lisa Null sang "Only Remembered" at our memorial gathering on Sunday. Liam's brother's wife, Bonnie, sang "'Tis Our Sailing Time." Mary LaMarca, with Kathy Westra and others, sang the beautiful "Sleep On, Beloved" (the Sankey tune), followed immediately by Riki Schneyer doing the Bahamian version: "I Bid You Goodnight." Joan Sprung sang "Who Will Come and Sing for Me?" and Karen K. led us all with her long-time favorite, "Bound for the Land of Canaan." I'd like to list all the singers and their songs, but we were singing for over four hours, and let me tell you, folks, the harmonies that filled that room were glorious! Wish you all could have been there to help us send my business partner and friend, Lee Haggerty, to his rest with such singing.

I guess you'll find a few ideas there.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Margaret V
Date: 18 May 00 - 01:17 PM

I'd recommend both "After You're Gone" and "Shores of Jordan" by Iris DeMent. If you can't find them I'll be glad to post the words. Margaret

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 May 00 - 03:27 PM

MMario,

A midi of that beautiful song, On Eagles' Wings, can be found here. My daughter chose that to be sung at her wedding, so if you want all the words I could probably get my hands on them. I always thought the "eagles wings" image was from Isaiah 40, but I think it is found throughout the Old Testament. That image is also used in the Air Force Prayer that I would love to find the words to again.

Mary

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 18 May 00 - 03:38 PM

Rana who SHOULD be working!

It's even better when he tells the joke that she gave him in exchange for the song!! LOL!!!

Why let death get ya down... Ya can't escape it... May as well have fun with it eh!

{~`

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: MMario
Date: 18 May 00 - 04:05 PM

MaK - I have the words...in a hymnal, I just don't have the verses memorized. It's based on Psalm 91

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Pixie
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:43 PM

Check out "Angel Band" cd by Emmylou Harris...some tunes that would be "uplifting" would be the song of the same name and "Who Will Sing for Me?" I want an "Angel Band" when I'm gone with lots of joyful noise and bluegrass gospel to send me off! No weeping and a-wailing!

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: mactheturk
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:55 PM

Another one I like is "Gentle On My Mind" by John Hartford.... "that you're waving from the backroads by the rivers of my memory, ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind."

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: mactheturk
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:01 PM

Another one I like is "Gentle On My Mind" by John Hartford ......"and you're waving from the backroads, by the rivers of my memory, ever smiling, ever gentle on my mind."

or the light-hearted, "Please Don't Bury Me" by John Prine

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Amergin
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:26 PM

I kinda like Tom Paxton's Wasn't That a Party, myself.

Subject: Lyr Add: Confitemini Domino (English lyrics)^^
From: GUEST,Anika
Date: 18 May 00 - 08:36 PM

A very simple but beautiful and calming meditative song which I sang at my mother's recent memorial is actually a Taize prayer,"Confitemini Domino", however I don't imagine that the lyrics are from the original work (the original being Latin, of course).I believe that this tune can be heard on a Taize website.The tune invites wonderful harmonies.The non-denominational lyrics are as follows:

In the still of morning
First breath of day
In the first light of dawning
While the night drifts away.

All of time still standing
All creation made new
All the truth of the universe
Now within you.

Keep this moment timeless
In your deepest soul
Hold its beauty in you
Where 'ere you go.

From this day's beginning
Unto evening's golden light
Hold its peace within you
'Til the deep rest of night.

Line Breaks
added.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: GUEST,Anika
Date: 18 May 00 - 08:43 PM

Hey there, can you guess that I don't have a clue as to how to post a message? I typed the lyrics to the song the way I wanted it to look, but it wasn't posted the same way. Do I need to do something with the following signs? . I'm so embarrassed. Am I destined to be inept or is there hope?

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 May 00 - 08:53 PM

Hello Anika,

Welcome! No, you're not inept, you just have to keep trying. I still forget the line breaks!

In the FAQ thread, Joe explains how to put br (in between the less than and greater than signs.) I can't do it here because I can't remember the way to do it without it accepting them as HTML.

Another thing, if you double space, you're OK. You just need to put a break at the end of each single line.

Try again!

Mary

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: DougR
Date: 18 May 00 - 08:53 PM

Guest Anika:

Were I wearing a hat, I would tip it to you. It must be very difficult to sing at a memorial service for one's parent.

Provided an excellent acapella choir is available, I think Bach's "Come Soothing Death," says it all. Also, "Going Home," based on "The New World Symphony" is very effective as is "Beautiful Saviour" (F. Melius Christiansen Arrangement).

DougR

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: KT
Date: 18 May 00 - 09:01 PM

I have the lyrics to On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas) if anyone wants them......

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 18 May 00 - 09:12 PM

"Hallowell" in the Northern Harmony sacred harp hymnal says it all for me. The refrain goes:

The dead lift me up: In brightest sky the clouds below me race. The dead lift me up. I see them face to face.

So does "Courage my soul (the storm is passing over)"
So does "I bid you goodnight".

Strange go say, I don't think of this as a morbid topic at all. My music community has had to support one another in the darkest times; sometimes music is the best way to express the inexpressible.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 May 00 - 09:18 PM

Bill Staines' "River (Take Me Along)" has a fitting final verse, it seems to me.

Some day, when the flowers are blooming still,
Some day, when the grass is still green,
My rolling waters will round the bend
And flow into the open sea.
So here's to the rainbow that's followed me here,
And here's to the friends that I know,
Here's to the song that's within me now,
I will sing it wherever I go.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 May 00 - 09:34 PM

Well, I'm just back from my Granny's funeral, where we went in to "Jesu Joy" and left to something vaguely familiar (apart from the bum notes in the intro) played on the organ; I think it was a recording.  Had it been my place to suggest something, I'd have gone for Linden Lea.  She used to sing when she was younger, and liked things like that.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 May 00 - 11:21 PM

Sandy,

Musicman just sang that one on HearMe. It was new to me. Beautiful song.

Mary

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: GreatGoo
Date: 19 May 00 - 12:00 AM

Just sang a funeral. Every one cried but I'm not sure if it was my singing or the departed. Did "Going Home" acapella. I had prcticed and had it down cold. Started half an octive high which made that last note a cracker. I eschewed a pitch pipe for the occation but will not do that again. Something about a room full of weepy people made me lose track of that first note. For what it was worth, they said they liked it.

GreatGoo

Subject: Lyr Add: On Eagle's Wings^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 May 00 - 03:58 AM

Yeah, "On Eagle's Wings" (click for MIDI) is a nice one for religious funerals. Seems like I've sung it at every Catholic funeral I've attended in the last 20 years, and at some non-Catholic funerals. Michael Crawford recorded it on an album with the same title - can't say I like his recording, but I like the song. But heck, it's one of the few of the newer Catholic hymns that have made it on a commercial recording.
-Joe Offer-

---

ON EAGLES' WINGS
(Michael Joncas)

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord:"My refuge,
My rock in whom I trust!"

And he will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear:
Under His wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day;
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

For to His angels He's given a command
To guard you in all of your ways;
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
And hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand.

Adaptation of Psalm 91. ©1979, New Dawn Music

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Gervase
Date: 19 May 00 - 04:13 AM

At my mother's funeral we had the old Catholic belter of a hymn "Thine be the Glory", followed by the song from Cymbeline; "Fear no more the heat of the sun..." - although I have to admit I found it hard to perform! I wish then I'd known the Sankey hymns - they are wonderfully moving.

Subject: Lyr Add: Memorial^^
From: Stewie
Date: 19 May 00 - 08:05 AM

I second Sandy with 'Turning Towards the Morning', but this song by Si Kahn is also very moving:

MEMORIAL
(Si Kahn)

We come today to say goodbye
To one who has held us close
To tell the stories of his life
That move us each the most
These memories of a life well lived
And of a death well faced
Are now a part of every life
That crosses in this place

Refrain:
No circle has been broken here
No one that stands alone
The threads of life, so lately broke
Are woven through our own

He'd hoped to meet us all again
That gather here today
But though we will not meet again
We'll meet again some way
In work we do, in songs we sing
In courage and in pain
In battles that we fight as one
We'll see his face again

Repeat refrain

For Doug Caston
Words and music by Si Kahn. Copyright Joe Hill Music ASCAP.
Source Si Kahn 'Unfinished Portraits' Flying Fish FF312 1984.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Kim C
Date: 19 May 00 - 09:47 AM

Angel Band is good. Also Poor Wayfaring Stranger. Jordan's Stormy Banks (or I Am Bound for the Promised Land, whichever you want to call it). Robin & Linda Williams' Let Us Cross Over the River.

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: mactheturk
Date: 19 May 00 - 11:27 AM

"What can we do with all the moments of our life, but love till we've loved it away. Love till we've loved it away."

The Thanksgiving Song, by Bob Franke

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 19 May 00 - 11:16 PM

Graham Dean sang Franke's "Thanksgiving Song" at my partner's memorial service. Priscilla Herdman sang "Ashokan Farewell." Duane of the Mudcat sang Bill Steele's "Thousand Songs" and bbc sang (with Duane accompanying on guitar) "Deep Settled Peace." Helen Schneyer sang "What a Singing There Will Be When I Get Home." Sally Rogers sang her "Pass it On," and Howie Bursen sang Pat Humphries' "Never Turning Back" (which probably isn't the correct title). Irene Kossoy Saletan sang "Farther Along." Cathy Barton and Dave Para sang Charlie Sandage's new tribute to three great Ozark singers: Emma Dusenberry, Ollie Gilbert, and Almeda Riddle (set to the tune of "Wondrous Love"), "They Sang On." Lyn Burnstine led us all in "Bright Morning Stars Are Rising." Oh, and there were many more! All of these songs can work well for such occasions, and this one was made special by all the great singing dedicated to a man who loved the old time music as much as anyone I've ever known.

One final thought, and then to work. Madeline L'Engle has used "Julian of Norwich" ("All Shall Be Well Again") by Sydney Carter in grief counseling seminars she has conducted in recent years. She plays the Bok/Muir/Trickett recording of the song. Whenever we get a sudden bunch of orders for this CD, we know she's done another seminar, so it must be helpful to many.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 20 May 00 - 12:16 AM

the one by Ewan MacColl (sp?) ...where he says farewell my chicks..

mg

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 May 00 - 12:30 AM

I once wrote a song I called 'Only Get Better' and the last verse says it for me:

When I'm on my deathbed at the end of my day
And we've reached the great parting of ways
Don't weep and don't sorrow but just smile and say:
She only got better each day. Ebbie

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: mactheturk
Date: 20 May 00 - 11:56 AM

The CD "Tribute to Steve Goodman" has some great tunes, with a very positive, uplifting feel to it. John Prine is the host of the show, kind-of, warm and loving celebration of a great mans' life.

Check it out...

MP

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 20 May 00 - 01:29 PM

Mary G...

That's "JOY OF LIVING"... fantastic song... But I'll never be able to forget Garnet Rogers patter to this song... Makes the last verse hilarious...

And I'd much rather people laugh at my funeral than weep! OR ELSE!!!! LOL!!!!

{~`

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 21 May 00 - 02:40 AM

when I'm gone..Phil Ochs????

Let me fish off Cape St. Mary's...Otto Kellan??

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 21 May 00 - 04:05 AM

HEY!!!!!!!

ta' fer making the link in the above message of mine, whoever did it!!

I never even though to look or to try...

{~`

Subject: RE: Funeral Tunes, songs that heal
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 21 May 00 - 07:22 AM

If ever you have to organise the funeral for a brilliant college student who has killed herself aged 20, try Kermit's "It isn't easy being green" - a real choker.

Fairport's "Meet on the Ledge" makes a stirring funeral anthem.