What Song for Your Funeral?

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Big Tim
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:38 PM

I keep changing my mind but at the moment I'm inclined towards,

Busk Bonnie Lassie, traditional Scots, sung by Norman Kennedy.

Every Grain of Sand, written and sung by Bob Dylan.

Summertime on Bredon, words by A.E.Housman, sung by Father Sydney MacEwan (not the Vaughan-Williams melody).

Better inform my kids soon in case I drop dead unexpectedly.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Songbob
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:29 PM

I'm not sure I want to dictate what's to be sung -- and my friends ain't the dictatin-to type anyway -- but I do know what I want them to say as they look at me in the coffin:

HE MOVED!!


Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 06:17 AM

Bellamy/Watersons rendition of Bob Dylan's "When I Die".

When I die isn't a Bob Dylan song - it's from the Doc Watson Family repetoire. The recording effectively reunites the Young Tradition and The Watersons. Mightly stuff indeed. Perhaps you're thinking of Death is Not the End?

Laura Nyro wrote a song called And When I Die which is very fine too:

I'm not scared of dyin'
and I don't really care
if it's peace you find in dyin'
Well then let the time be near
if it's peace you find in dyin'
When dyin' time is here
just bundle up my coffin
cause it's cold way down there

And when I die
and when I'm gone
there'll be one child born
and a world to carry on

My troubles are many
they're as deep as a well
I swear there ain't no heaven
and I pray there ain't no hell
swear there ain't no heaven
and pray there ain't no hell
but I'll never know by livin'
only my dyin' will tell

And when I die
and when I'm gone
there'll be one child born
and a world to carry on

Give me my freedom
for as long as I be
all I ask of livin'
is to have no chains on me
all I ask of livin'
is to have no chains on me
and all I ask of dyin'
is to go naturally

And when I die
and when I'm gone
there'll be one child born
and a world to carry on

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Raggytash
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:27 AM

No question about this, as the curtains close at the crematorium Gracie Fields will start to sing .........

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye, cheerio here I go .........

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: mandotim
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:07 AM

Not a song, but for me it has to be Elgar's 'Nimrod' from the Enigma Variations, played by a decent brass band. A lovely, emotional tune to get the crying over and done with before the drinking starts...
Tim

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:41 AM

We'll all go together when we go...

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GREEN WELLIES
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:33 AM

A friend of ours had everybody singing 'Spirit in the Sky' as his coffin left the church.

As for me, well as I leave the church I want to follow a brass band playing 'The Stripper' !!

Dont want mine to be a sad affair.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Artful Codger
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:25 AM

I'm not sure I'd want "Derwentwater's Farewell"; it always reminds me of Peter Bellamy's "Danny Deever" setting. Don't want to be remebered as a "sneakin', shootin' hound".

If I were "hedging my bets", then I'd go with the Bellamy/Watersons rendition of Bob Dylan's "When I Die".

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Lox
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 06:25 PM

Calling you as sung by Jevetta Steele for the Bagdad Cafe soundtrack.


       Sheer Beauty!



I also would recommend that anyone watch the film "Bagdad cafe" as it is one of the finest bits of art of any sort anywhere.


And in my opinion Jack Palances finest hour.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: stallion
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 06:18 PM

all right now - free

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 06:14 PM

I definitely don't want Psalm 23 to Crimond. If people insist then sing it to Wiltshire or preferably Martyrdom.

What I would like is Runrig's "Dust" to be played, then everybody sing "You shall go out with joy" accelerando.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 04:52 PM

Let me fish off cape st. mary's and oh boys carry me long.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 03:59 PM

I've booked Jilted John (the song not the artist) to be sung live

Now there's a notion! The artist formerly known as Jilted John is now, of course, the great John Shuttleworth responsible for such minor epics as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ufc8bnD8DE

Imagine having Shuttleworth playing live at your funeral!

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 03:50 PM

I've booked Jilted John (the song not the artist) to be sung live - I'm looking forward to it !

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:20 AM

Just A Closer Walk Wit Thee Tab by Johnny Cash& Bob Dylan

http://hypem.com/track/187448/Bob+Dylan+Johnny+Cash+-+Just+A+Closer+Walk+With+Thee

Or, maybe, The Balance,Moody Blues

http://www.webwriter.f2s.com/moody/lyrics/aqob.htm#balance

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 11:06 AM

Mat eof mine want "The End" by the Doors
Then there was the lady on BBC Radio 4 who said her kids were gonna play
Ding dong the witch is dead !

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: olddude
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 10:50 AM

"Another one bites the dust"

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GUEST,Wheatman
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 07:42 AM

Derwentwater's Fairwell played on the small pipes or English Concertina as they put my ashes on the Straw Bear bonfire. Not very green, I know

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 07:32 AM

As that well known piece of R2 cricket commentary fades away [Jonners, he couldn't quite get his leg over/Oh do stop it Aggers!] I shall disappear through the final curtain to the wonderful 'Gloryland' by Waterson:Carthy. As an almost non-believer I don't think hedging my bets on a final destination should be held against me!

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 07:30 AM

A banjo playing friend of mine wants "Edelweiss" because he can't stand it and he won't be there to listen to it. On the same basis I'm going to have the "Lord of the damp settee" song.
Ray

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: erosconpollo
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 07:03 AM

Almost certainly something by myself. I'm not going to waste the last audience I'll ever have.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 04:52 AM

A natural burial place for me - one just down the road from us, at Clayton in Sussex, which I and herself have earmarked for when we go. Bamboo or similar degradable box, buried near to a tree, wooden marker only - all of which rots away naturally and gives back to the earth some of what we took from it in being.

As to a song, I think it might have to be a small pipes man playing "The Wild Hills Of Whannies". But I might change my mind in the next 30 years or so...

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Gurney
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 04:02 AM

Haven't decided, myself, but Her Indoors wants 'The Circle of Life' from Disney's 'The Lion King.'

Poignantly, we bury my pal on Wednesday. Makes you think. He's only 51.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 03:16 AM

Perhaps "Little Boxes" would be appropriate........

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: PSzymeczek
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 11:30 PM

John Prine - "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore"

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Midchuck
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 10:54 PM

Kendall said:

Turning toward the morning by Gordon Bok

That's what my mother said in '05.

And you know, I got through it. The song carried me.

Peter.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Bruce D
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 10:43 PM

Grey Funnel Line (full version) & Naval Hymn also a medly of Shanty tunes.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 10:35 PM

Geeshie Wiley--Pick Poor Robin Clean

(my second choice)

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Padre
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 10:25 PM

I've asked for two:

"Abide With Me"

"Adoro Devote" - the Benedictine Plainsong melody
for the Requiem Mass

Padre

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Amergin
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 09:57 PM

Dead Kennedys doing Viva Las Vegas

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: SuperKrone
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 09:21 PM

Or how about this?

"Please don't bury me down in the cold, cold ground--
I's rather have you cut me up, and pass me all around.
Throw my brain in the hurricane, the blind can have my eyes,
And the deaf can have both of my ears, if they don't mind the size."

Alas, most of my parts will be too shopworn for reuse!

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 06:17 PM

Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye - AND I want everyone to wave!

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: kendall
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 05:43 PM

Turning toward the morning by Gordon Bok

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: sing4peace
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 05:24 PM

From Way Up Here - Malvina Reynolds

From way up here, the earth is very small
it's just a little ball
of rock and sea and sand
no bigger than my hand.

From way up here, the earth is very small
they shouldn't fight at all down there
upon that little sphere

Their time is short
A life is just a day
You'd think they'd find a way
You'd think they'd get along
And fill their magic days with song....

From way up here, the earth is very small
it's just a little ball so small
so beautiful and clear.

Their time is short
A life is just a day
Must be a better way
To use the time that runs
Among the distant suns.

From way up here the earth is very small
it's just a little ball so small
so beautiful and dear.

From way up here the earth is very small
it's just a little ball
of rock and sea and sand
No bigger than my hand.

-----------

Also, Phil Och's "When I'm Gone"
Sally Rogers' "We'll pass them on"
Traditional: This Little Light of Mine


Hopefully, not anytime soon.

Joyce K.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 04:00 PM

It's worth realizing that a thread like this is a real record -- Linden Lea (as well as Lay Down your Weary Tune) got played at Malcolm Douglas's funeral because he had posted in this previous thread on the topic:

What song do you want at your funeral? (24 Feb 01)

I've got no personal selection to offer... yet.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:58 PM

John Tams with Home Service 'Look Up, Look Up' - I am of course being optimistic! Must have the guitar solo at the end too

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Bettynh
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:40 PM

If my son would sing it and substitute "she" for "Lee" I'd like this one:

In Dead Earnest

If I should die before I wake
All my bone and sinew take
Put them in the compost pile
To decompose a little while
Sun, rain and worms will have their way
Reducing me to common clay
All that I am will feed the trees
And little fishes in the seas
When corn and radishes you munch
You may be having me for lunch
The excrete me with a grin
Chortling, There goes Lee again
'Twill be my happiest destiny
To die and live eternally
       Lee Hays, 1981

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Artful Codger
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:37 PM

"O Bury Me Not": I'd rather be cremated.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:20 PM

"Goodnight Irene"

I'm serious.

Art

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: SuperKrone
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:18 PM

Air moves us, fire transforms us,
water shapes us, earth heals us
And the balance of the wheel goes round and round
And the balance of the wheel goes round

By Cathleen Sheil, Moonsea and Prune of RECLAIMING

and

"Hymn to Her"

AND [WE] WILL ALWAYS CARRY ON
SOMETHING IS LOST
BUT SOMETHING IS FOUND
[WE] WILL KEEP ON SPEAKING HER NAME
SOME THINGS CHANGE, SOME STAY THE SAME


by Chrisy Hines and The Pretenders

Whatever it may do for people at my memorial service,
imagining these being sung comforts me now.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 03:12 PM

Sam Hall.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:36 PM

At Malcolm Douglas' funeral the final song was 'Linden Lea' set by Vaughan-Williams. Malc's choice. Beautifully played by Skyhook (I believe) and sung equally beautifully by Tegwen Roberts. I was so moved that three months later I had the same thing played at my Dad's funeral. Perfect.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Irene M
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:30 PM

"Quitting Time" by The Roches

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: meself
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:28 PM

Hmmm - I do know that I want a chorus-girl to sing me one last song; I'm just not sure which one. Which song, that is. Guess I'll leave it up to her.

Oh, and by the way, on my hearse, if it's not too much to ask, I'd like a jazz-band playing - just to raise a little hell as we roll along.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: JP2
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:13 PM

No question "Always look on the bright side of life".

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Santa
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 02:11 PM

Who knows where the time goes.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 01:55 PM

This one:-

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: th'Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

For the following reasons :-

1 It makes for a damn good sing - thank you Charles Wesley
2 I was raised as a Methodist (now lapsed) and it has been sung at every family funeral I've been to.
3 "My chains fell off" has particular relevance for me ( long illness in various family members )
4 as 1 above

Dave

Dave

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Smokey.
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 01:53 PM

'Jollity Farm' performed by the immortal Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: Micca
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 01:39 PM

The one that includes the lines
"No Church in gloom No solemn tune No po faced Priest to moan
Go to the pub and lift a glass And my friends can sing me home"

Subject: RE: What Song for Your Funeral?
From: topical tom
Date: 19 Sep 09 - 01:35 PM

"How Great Thou Art".