'Funeral home' songs

Subject: 'Funeral home' songs
From: wilco
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 02:42 PM

I'm in a semi-rural part of SE Tennessee (USA), and fundamentalist Protestantism is prevalent religious perspective here. Last night, at a jam session, we were working our way through some old song books and hymnals, and someone sang "Com Morning," which several people called a "funeral home song," which means it is sung at funerals. It is beautiful!!! I have been doing two other similar songs for years:
Just a Rose Will Do, and In the Sweet By and By. Any others that you like?

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Cluin
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 02:51 PM

Will the Circle Be Unbroken, of course.

And Farther Along.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 03:38 PM

Well, it is really too bad that Come Morning is as new as it is ~~ 1978. It certainly has an older "feel" to it, at least the way I have heard it.

In an earlier thread from 2001, Masato gave the lyrics.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Deckman
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 03:53 PM

Come this Saturday, I will be singing Who Will Sing For Me at a funeral. Bob

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:26 PM

At my cousin's funeral last week we all sang It Is No Secret by Stuart Hamblin.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:30 PM

Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?
Only Remembered / (click - Finest Kind version)

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: pattyClink
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:55 PM

"On Eagle's Wings"

Subject: ADD: New Land (Bird/Lacy/Lacy)
From: Jeanie
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 05:02 PM

Here is a beautiful song by David Bird, Sarah Lacy and Richard Lacy of "Eden's Bridge" from their CD "Celtic Worship 2"

NEW LAND
David Bird, and Sarah & Richard Lacy)

On a hillside in the warm sun
Granite shining like ice
And the water sparkling, rushing
Through the earth black as night
Where the skylark sings above me
And the sheep graze at ease
In the silence, this new land
Summons each, all, and me

I had not seen, I could not know
What this new land could be
I had heard a piece of Heaven
Was waiting for me
From the barren to the verdant
From the crag to the dale
Once I've stepped out in faith
Then there's no turning away

I'll fly, fly, headlong and free
Fly, fly, headlong and free
Why grieve for the pains that have been?
For the new land is calling to me
For the new land is calling to me

Every autumn has its winter
Every winter its spring
Ages pass and every dying
Means a new life begins
In the passing from the old land
There is sorrow and fear
But the night at its darkest
Means the dawning is near

I'll fly, fly, headlong and free
Fly, fly, headlong and free
Why grieve for the pains that have been?
For the new land is calling to me
For the new land is calling to me


More lyrics and details about Eden's Bridge recordings and songbook at: EDEN'S BRIDGE

- jeanie

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Mary V.
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 05:31 PM

I'll fly away old glory I'll fly away...
Precious Memories How they linger.........
Won't it be beautiful there................
I believe on a hill called Mount Calvary.....
Farside Banks of Jordan......................



My email is [e-mail]

If you would like the words to any,
I would be happy to email them to you.

from Mary V.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Mark Clark
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:09 PM

My late maternal grandmother used to tell of attending the funeral of a friend whose family had been having more than their share of recent deaths. She was appalled when one of the selected hymns was “Going Down the Valley One by One”. The link includes the lyrics, a MIDI file and and Noteworthy Composer file for the score.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Banjer
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:24 PM

My instructions to my family upon my passing are that I want only Country and Bluegrass Gospel music at my funeral. I have given them a list of my favorite old standards including:

When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
In The Sweet By And By

Besides the commonly known ones I also include:

I'm Using My Bible For A Roadmap
Life's Railway To Heaven
A Beautiful Life
Gathering Flowers For The Masters Bouquet

I hope I can peek from the other side of the curtain when my time comes and see how many of my wishes are adhered to!!

Probably the best thing to do would be to burn a CD with all my favorite tunes and make sure that someone gets it to the funeral home for me.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:39 PM

"I'll Fly Away"...

And of course, "Amazing Grace", which I do with a slide in G tuning...

Bobert

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Deckman
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:52 PM

When I was about twenty, many years ago, my favorite Aunt passed away at age 53. She had spent her entire life on the farm, in a Finnish community ... speaking only the language, the customs, the food, and the farm work. I was asked to sing at her funeral and I chose a then populiar Stewart Hamblian (sp?) song called "These Hands." The words fir Thella perfectly. Take a look at it. Best wishes, Bob

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Deckman
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:56 PM

... also, over the years I've sung at many weddings and many funerals. My success rate for weddings is not very good. Only one couple has stayed married. My success rate for funerals is 100%. Bob

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:56 PM

I can't help it! I'm sorry...but someone has to say it.
FINNEGAN'S WAKE"

THERE! Now I feel better.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 11:38 PM

i'll be glad when you're dead you rascal you.....or whatever it was called.....

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 11:57 PM

Old Rugged Cross
Shall We Gather By the River
Amazing Grace
Happy Trails to You - Till We Meet Again.
Aloha
Auld Lang Zine
Come to the Church in the Wildwood

I've heard all of these

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Gee, I like to think of death...my collection includes over two hundred readings. Do you think it should be a new thread or include it under recitations? Or perhaps, you could welcome it into this already existing topic?

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:22 AM

Isn't It Grand Boys?

....er, maybe not.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:35 AM

Such songs really need to complement the life and spirit of the deceased, sometimes not an easy choice.

Bob Franke's song "Thanksgiving Eve" was appropriate for the funeral of a young teenager who died too soon. Don't think "Isn't It Grand" would have worked as well, but it probably would work for my father who's approaching 98.

For our old friend and folksinger Bill Bonyun we heard "The Welcome Song," "The Massa of the Sheepfold," and "Get Up, Jack, John Sit Down" but we had a wide range of choice for Bill.

I do wonder what the funeral directors sing among themselves at their meetings. Maybe something like this from "Jones' Ale":

The next came in was a mortician.
And he was in sorry condition,
Yes, he was in sorry condition,
For to join in the jovial crew,
And he flung out his arms and cried,
"If no one in town soon died,
I'll have to consider suicide!"

When Jones's Ale was new, me boys,
When Jones's Ale was new!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Pseudolus
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:10 PM

Before my Dad died we would go every Christmas and sing at the nursing home where he lived. One year we did Felis Navidad and Dad loved the song. He had never heard it. He kept asking us to repeat it. I think we did it four times!!! Then every year we would sing "Felis Lavidad" (as my Dad pronounced it!!) several times during the night. My Dad died nine days after this year's Christmas Concert at the nursing home and we asked the organist if she could play Felis Navidad as we escorted Dad from the church. She played a very slow and majestic version on the organ. Most people didn't even realize what the song was but we did....it was awesome!! So for me and my family, Felis Navidad will forever be a "funeral song"......

So, do ya think it'll catch on???? haha

Frank

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:13 PM

"FROGGY WENT A COURTING"

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:29 PM

For the nautical folks, nothing would go down better than a few verses of "Old Stormy" with the chorus:

To me way, hey, Stormy!
Walk 'im along, John, carry 'im along!
To me way, hey, Stormy!
Carry 'im to his burying ground!

My favorite verse borrowed another "herse song" runs:

We'll throw in stones,
We'll throw in rocks,
Walk 'im along, John, carry 'im along!
And we don't give a damn if we breaks the box!
Carry 'im to his burying ground!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:41 PM

How about "It was a helluva funeral, I say one helluva funeral/No other burial can compare...."

Personally, one song at want at mine is "Morning has Broken." Also, perhaps, "Rosin the Beau" and "Roll me over", but I doubt that my wife would approve of those.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: wilco
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 05:13 PM

How about "Funeral Home Songs" in UK?

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 05:27 PM

As someone mentioned, the song must be appropriate to the person. My Father passed last Novemeber. I sang a quiet Finnish Song that he enjoyed. My Mother loved Red River Valley. I'll be singing a different song this Saturday. There are many appropriate songs out there. You just have to know the person to make it fit. Regards ... Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL
From: Burke
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 06:21 PM

The Sacred Harp is full of these types of songs & we sing them even when there is no funeral because they are beautiful. It does contain some that were really 19th century standards.

Isaac Watt's Why do we mourn departing friends to the tune China, by Timothy Swan is found in many 19th century American hymnals. I've actually found 2 clear parodies in the college songbook Carmina Collegensia (1868)

Even more common as words, but apparently many different tunes are these words by Alexander Pope

THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL
   
VITAL spark of heav'nly flame!   
Quit, O quit this mortal frame:   
Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying,   
O the pain, the bliss of dying!   
Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife,         
And let me languish into life.   

Hark! they whisper; angels say,   
Sister Spirit, come away!   
What is this absorbs me quite?   
Steals my senses, shuts my sight,   
Drowns my spirits, draws my breath?   
Tell me, my soul, can this be death?   

The world recedes; it disappears!   
Heav'n opens on my eyes! my ears   
With sounds seraphic ring!   
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!   
O Grave! where is thy victory?   
O Death! where is thy sting?   

I've found many copies of the words in online hymnbooks. References to compositions setting these words included Edward Harwood (late 18th or early 19th cent. English); Havergal Brian (UK 1924); and Claremont by Merrill and Temple (US 1799)

Subject: Lyr Add: CANCION MIXTECA
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 06:41 PM

When my mother died after a long illness, the four of us offspring worked up two a cappella arrangements: Beulah Land (which *her* mother had loved) and Cancion Mixteca, which my mother loved and which seemed strangely appropriate for someone who had lived rather too long. I sang lead on that one. Hardest gig I've ever had -- this not being the easiest song to sing under the best of circumstances -- but we sent Mamacita off in style. Since it doesn't seem to live at Mudcat, here are the words and an approximate translation:

CANCION MIXTECA

¡Qué lejos estoy del suelo donde he nacido,
inmensa nostagia invade mi pensamiento,
y al verme tan solo y triste cual hoja al viento,
quisiera llorar, quisiera morir de sentimiento!

¡0h tierra del sol, suspiro por verte
ahora que lejos yo vivo sin luz, sin amor,
y al verme tan solo y triste cual hoja al viento,
quisiera llorar, quisiera morir de sentimiento!

Approximate translation:

How far away I am from my homeland,
great nostalgia invades my mind,
and when I see myself so lonesome and sad, like a leaf in the wind,
I'd like to cry, I'd like to die of sorrow!

Oh land of the sun I long to see you
now that I live faraway, without light, without love;
and when I see myself so lonesome and sad, like a leaf in the wind,
I'd like to cry, I'd like to die of sorrow!

Here's a link to the sheet music: Cancion Mixteca music (sorry, no lyrics underlaid)

Let's see if I can find a tune file...hmmm, this page has MP3s for Mac and PC: MP3s

BTW, "There's a Long, Long Trail a-Winding" also made an appearance, not vocally but I placed the lyrics on her funeral announcement.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD BOG ROAD
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 07:17 PM

Funeral home songs and wake songs are a different thing, though they might overlap.

We had a related thread - Your favorite Wake tunes and Songs - and I found it just now when I was searching for the words of The Old Bog Road, which I nominate as a favourite wake song for any Irish exile. and the search engine led me to a post of mu own, saying more or less the same.

And since the words aren't in the DT, here they are.

My feet are here on Broadway
This blessed harvest morn,
But oh! the ache that's in my heart
For the spot where I was born.
My weary hands are blistered
Through work in cold and heat!
And oh! to swing a scythe once more
Through a field of Irish wheat.
Had I the chance to wander back,
Or own a king's abode.
I'd sooner see the hawthorn tree
By the Old Bog Road.

When I was young and restless
My mind was ill at ease,
Through dreaming of America,
And the gold beyond the seas.
Oh, sorrow rake their money,
'Tis hard to find the same,
And what's the world to any man
If no one speaks his name.
I've had my day and here I am
A-building bricks per load.
A long three thousand miles away
From the Old Bog Road.

My mother died last springtime,
When Erin's fields were green.
The neighbours said her waking
Was the finest ever seen.
There were snowdrops and primroses
Piled high above her bed,
And Ferns Church was crowded
When her funeral Mass was read.
And here was I on Broadway
A-building bricks per load.
When they carried out her coffin
Down the old Bog Road.

There was a decent girl at home
Who used to walk with me.
Her eyes were soft and sorrowful
Like moonlight o'er the sea.
Her name was Mary Dwyer,
But that was long ago.
The ways of God are wiser
Than the things that man might know.
She died the day I left her,
A-building bricks per load,
I'd best forget the days I've spent
On the old Bog Road.

Ah! Life's a weary puzzle,
past finding out by man.
I take the day for what it's worth,
and do the best I can.
Since noone cares a rush for me,
what needs to make a moan,
I'll go my way and draw my pay,
and smoke my pipe alone,
Each human heart must know its grief,
tho' little be their load.
So God be with you, Ireland,
and the Old Bog Road.

Teresa Brayton

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Dave Williams
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 12:48 PM

Can't forget "Rock of Ages".

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: PageOfCups
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 01:53 PM

At my mother's memorial service, I had the words/music to In The Garden printed in the program. She loved that hymn. And at her request, I hired a Dixieland band to play "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" at the beginning of the service and "When the Saints Go Marchin' In" at the end. They also played "I Wish That I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" - another one of Mom's favorites. You might not want to play "Shimmy" at most funerals, though... :-)

PoC

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 02:02 PM

I think I'll add the Old Bog Road to my inventory of songs to mull over. Thanks for posting it.

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN TO A RIVER (Connie Kaldor)
From: open mike
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 03:29 PM

This one was quite a comfort to me, as my parents both passed within a week of each other. I was able to plant a tree (an apple) at the time of my father's death, and tell mother about it, so she knew about it before she died. This was at Easter time, 2002.

DOWN TO A RIVER by Connie Kaldor (on the CD Small Café)

There are dinners; there is music,
There is laughter, there were tears,
There are memories that go back
Over the years,
There are the marks made in a life
Like only good friends do,
Now I must choose to make a mark,
For the things I loved in you,

CHORUS: I'll go down to a river, and plant a tree,
Something strong, wild and living,
Those are my memories,
And I'll go up to a mountain, and sing to the stars,
Can you hear me? Wherever you are.

And there's phone calls and there's crying
And there's clutching to the chest,
Ant there's singing songs and throwing dirt,
And laying down to rest,
And there's carving words on stone,
And making church bells ring,
But the river when it freezes over,
Still thaws and runs each spring. CHORUS

Do you hear the ones who loved you,
And were glad they knew you well,
Do the hearts you left that miss you,
Ring like a bell?

----------------------------------------
I also have been helped by the song which I first heard sung by Greg Brown and Kate Mackenzie on Prairie Home Companion: GIVE ME THE ROSES WHILE I LIVE, a song apparently attributed to the Carter Family, and possibly written by R. H. Cornelius. It is probably in the DT. If not I will put it there.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 03:41 PM

Then for the flipside, there's always Tom Leher's "We'll All Go Together When We Go."

When you attend a funeral,
It is sad to think that soon-er-al,
That those you love will do the same for you;
And you may have thought it tragic,
Not to mention other adje-tives,
To think of all the moaning they will do,
But don't you worry...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:44 PM

"Amazing Grace" sung to the tune of the "Gilligan's Island Theme"

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Suzy
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 09:52 PM

I need the piano music for an upcoming funeral to The Far Side Banks of Jordan. Please!

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:24 PM

No need to tap on the door here...30,000 available...including

www.cowboylyrics.com

It aint trad...and it aint folk...and it aint blues...and it AINT OUT OF of COPYRIGHT...

Post at your own pearly parious parel.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 12:57 PM

A beautiful Stephen Foster Song..oh carry me long there's no more trouble for me...mg

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: oldhippie
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 06:29 PM

Forest Lawn? Probably not.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 07:08 PM

There are so many, in the folk world. Sung not only for funerals, but just when one needed comfort, sometimes. A few from my bit of Appalachia: I Am a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow, I've Got a Mother Gone to Glory, Resignation, We're Floating Down the Stream of Time, My Head and Stay is Called Away (the "widow's hymn"), She is Gone, Our Precious Darling (for a little girl-child, but can be used for a son also- He is Gone...etc.), Sweet Rivers of Redeeming Love, I'm Alone in This World.

My sister Edna used to love to harmonize as we did the dishes. "Some Day the Silver Chord Will Break" was a favorite; also, "When We All Get to Heaven." Dozens more. We loved to hear Roy Acuff sing, "The Great Speckled Bird."

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 07:31 PM

Bob Dylan's "When I Die" would be a good ensemble one.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE JOY OF LIVING (Ewan MacColl)
From: GUEST,Jacqued
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:08 PM

The following beautiful passing song springs to mind:


THE JOY OF LIVING^^^
Ewan MacColl


Farewell you northern hills, you mountains all good-bye,
Moorlands and stony ridges, crags, and peaks goodbye.
Clithar-Vacht farewell, Ceol Beg Scar Fell, cloud bearing Soo-Van.
Sun-warmed rock and the cold of Bleaklow's frozen sea,
The snow and the wind and the rain - of hills and mountains.
Days in the sun and the temperate wind - and the air like wine,
And you drink and you drink till you're drunk - on the joy of living.

Farewell to you my love, my time is almost done,
Lie in my arms once more until the darkness comes.
You filled all my days, held the night at bay, dearest companion.
Years pass by and they're gone with the speed of a bird in flight,
Our life like a verse of a song - heard in the mountains.
Give me your hand then love - and join your voice with mine,
We'll sing of the hurt and the pain - and the joy of living.

Farewell to you my chicks, soon you must fly alone,
Flesh of my flesh, my future life, bone of my bone.
May your wings be strong, may your days be long, safe be your journey.
Each of you bears inside of you the gift of love,
May it bring you light and warmth - and the pleasure of giving.
Eagerly savour each new day - and the taste that is now,
Never lose sight of the thrill - and the joy of living.

Take me to some high place - of heather, rock and ling,
Scatter my dust and ashes, feed me to the wind.
So that I will be part of all you see, the air you are breathing.
I'll be part of the curlew's cry - and the soaring hawk,
The blue milkworts and the sundew hung with diamonds.
I'll be riding the gentle wind - that blows through your hair,
Reminding you how we shared - in the joy of living.^^^

Ed

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Neil D
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:29 PM

Funeral Home by Daniel Johnston

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:39 PM

Although it was written for a wedding I still think that Kate Wolf's "Give Yourself To Love" is perfect----and for a truism after the funeral a song about something universal to all faiths by Kate Campbell---FuneraL Food

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: PHJim
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:53 AM

How about My Buddy?

Nights are long since you went away,
I think about you all through the day,
My buddy, my buddy, no buddy quite so true.

Miss your voice, the touch of your hand,
Just long to know that you understand,
My buddy, my buddy, your buddy misses you

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: PHJim
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 11:00 AM

For a song about Funeral Homes, listen to Miuke Cross's Little Ditches: http://www.mikecross.com/discs.asp?id=13

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 01:21 PM

I can't believe that no one has mentioned:

Glory Glory Hallelujah, When I Lay My Burden Down

(The melody of this fine old hymn was appropriated for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," which has become better known and, apparently, more frequently performed ~ except in New Orleans.)

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: PHJim
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 02:06 PM

I just skimmed the thread, but didn't notice Didn't He Ramble.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: goatfell
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:37 AM

or what I consider that most truthful song, by Shel Silverstein called 'STILL GONNA DIE'. It's about get fit and everything else that we try to do to keep young, but as the song says at the end of life you die.

Subject: Lyr Add: STILL GONNA DIE (Shel Silverstein)
From: goatfell
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:48 AM

here is the words

"Still Gonna Die"
( Shel Silverstein )

So you're takin' better care of your body
Becoming more aware of your body.
Responding to your body's needs.
Everything you hear and read about diets,
Nutrition and sleeping position and detoxifying your system,
And buying machines that they advertise to help you exercise.
Herbs to revitalize you if you're traumatized.
Soaps that will sanitize.
Sprays to deordorize.
Liquid to neutralize acids and pesticides.
Free weights to maximize your strength and muscle size.
Shots that will immunize.
Pills to re-energize you.

But remember that for all your pain and gain
Eventually the story ends the same...
You can quite smokin', but you're still gonna die.
Cut out cokin', but you're still gonna die.
Eliminate everything fatty or fried,
And you get real healthy, but you're still gonna die.
Stop drinkin' booze, you're still gonna die.
Stay away from cooze, you're still gonna die.
You can cut out coffee and never get high,
But you're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.

You're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
Still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
You can even give aerobics one more try,
But when the music stops playin', you're still gonna die.
Put seat belts in your car, you're still gonna die.
Cut nicotine tar, you're still gonna die.
You can exercise that cellulite off your thigh.
Get slimmer and trimmer, but you're still gonna die.
Stop gettin' a tan, you're still gonna die.
You can search for UFO's up in the sky
They might fly you to Mars where you're still gonna die.

You're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
Still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
And all the Reeboks and Nikes and Adidas you buy
You can jog up to heaven and you're still gonna die.

Drink ginseng tonics, you're still gonna die.
Try high colonics, you're still gonna die.
You can have yourself frozen and suspended in time,
But when they do thaw you out, you're still gonna die.
You can have safe sex, you're still gonna die.
You can switch to Crest, you're still gonna die.
You can get rid of stress, get a lot of rest,
Get an AIDS test, enroll in EST,
Move out west where it's sunny and dry
And you'll live to be a hundred
But you're still gonna die.

You're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
Still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.
So you'd better have some fun
'Fore you say bye-bye,
'Cause you're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Songwronger
Date: 06 Sep 12 - 09:57 PM

Went to a funeral today. The deceased asked that two canned songs be played. "Peace in the Valley" by Tennessee Ernie Ford, and "I'll Fly Away" by Jim Reeves. Set the mood well. A somber one to begin with, a rather upbeat one to end.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Sep 12 - 04:21 AM

Keith Marsden's ' Funeral Song '

Dave H

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Elmore
Date: 07 Sep 12 - 04:16 PM

What's the Life of a Man?

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Felipa
Date: 14 Aug 15 - 05:10 PM

When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs) is beautiful

Things in Life (Don Stover)

There's a few different songs with the line Peaceful Valley in them including one on Stover's "Things in Life" album

Plenty of relevant spirituals ("I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home" came into my mind)

in far less serious vein: Tim Finnegan's Wake, Cholesterol, Some Little Bug, The Night Pat Murphy Died, Isn't it Grand Boys

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 14 Aug 15 - 06:00 PM

The Farthest Field

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Aug 15 - 11:39 PM

"Now we take this feeble body."

~Susan

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Aussie Guest
Date: 15 Aug 15 - 02:01 AM

I went to a funeral a few years back of an old drinkin mate, who was going to be 'creamated' (that's how it was spelled on the program), and he chose "Put Another Log on The Fire" off some C&W CD ... there were many wry smiles in the back rows ...

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 15 Aug 15 - 06:15 PM

We use this thing called a "Hymn Book".

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 07:02 PM

I'm not sure I understand that!

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 08:36 AM

At a couple memorials we have sung Dave Carter's When I Go and his other song Gentle Soldier of my Soul. Also David Francey's Saints and Sinners and Chris Smither's Lay the Old Man Down.

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 12:51 PM

Way Over Yonder by Carole King.

Played it back in 1999 when my father died, and I hope someone will play it for me someday.


Jay

Subject: RE: 'Funeral home' songs
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 09:02 PM

Have to say I was gobsmacked by the reference on 26th February 2003 to 'Old Lang Zine/---!!!!
That would certainly have Robert Burns turning in his grave -- and it fair gars me grue!
The song is Auld Lang SYNE with an 'S' !!!!!

As for funeral songs- - there are so many laments in both the Scots and the Gaelic traditions that we are spoiled for choice!
Heart-rending, beautiful, sorrowful --- songs, tunes, ballads - -- and we Celts really love to hear them, play them, sing them - - -