Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)

Subject: Origins: Eulogy or Song?
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 09:54 PM

A very dear friend of ours passed away in the early hours of Good Friday and thoughts are now turning to the funeral, at which I would like to say a few words about our friendship etc.

Some time back I read a brilliant piece in one of the threads, but don't know which one, also not sure whether it was a song or poem, but I remember bits of it, something like "I am not gone (dead) I am in the wind, everywhere".

I know its a long shot, but if anyone could tell me what and where I would be very grateful.

WHB

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: Barbara
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 10:56 PM

Could it be Ewan McColl's "Joy of Living"?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 11:07 PM

Thanks Barbara, that is lovely, but not the one I was thinking of, although if I can't find it I might just use that instead.

Many thanks

WHB

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wi
From: open mike
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 11:31 PM

http://www.targetnewspapers.com/updates/articles/Poetry/I%20Am%20Not%20Gone.htm

I AM NOT GONE   




Sigh not for me for I am not gone;
Sigh for the living for they may not hear this song.

Listen to the wind that carries my joyous tune;
Listen to the warming sun, causing the flowers to bloom.

Taste the fresh layer of new-laid, sparkling snow;
Taste the pure, white diamonds, shining in the moon's pale glow.

Feel not sad that my presence lingers with you not;
Feel that I live within you, spirit not forgot.

Cry not that I am not by your side;
Cry for the culture that teaches genocide.

Touch me when jewelled dew adorns the rose;
Touch me when its scent pervades, during repose.

Overnight, I lie quietly by your side;
Overnight, I kiss your lips: Always, my bride.

See the crocus, pushing through the snow;
See how effortlessly does the river flow.

Note the love that a young child yearns;
Note that that love is the love that burns, and burns.

Love me always, my dearest dear;
Love me in the spring, the summer, the fall, every winter of every year.

Hold me to your bosom so that I may hear your heart;
Hold me tightly: Then, we shall never be apart.

Very soon, the day will break,
Very soon, the night will end … and you shall wake.

Ever close, I stay by you,
Ever our love shall be renewed, anew.

Adieu, Adieu, Adieu!
**************************************************************   

this is a bit different than the one i have heard before..
but niced sentimants, never the less.
the one i actually remember is more like this:
... When I'm gone from your side,. And all your tears have been dried ... Do not stand at my grave and weep,. I am not there, I do not sleep. ...

ok here it is:

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Mary Frye (1932)

it is by Mary Elizabeth Frye

http://eir.library.utoronto.ca/rpo/display/poem2670.html

see two versions here:
Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep

Version 1 (revised by another hand?)


             1Do not stand at my grave and weep
             2I am not there. I do not sleep.
             3I am a thousand winds that blow
             4I am the diamond glints on snow.
             5I am the sunlight on ripened grain
             6I am the gentle autumn rain.
             7When you awaken in the morning's hush,
             8I am the swift uplifting rush
             9Of quiet birds in circled flight.
            10I am the soft stars that shine at night.
            11Do not stand at my grave and cry.
            12I am not there: I did not die

Version 2 (original?)


             1Do not stand at my grave and weep,
             2I am not there, I do not sleep.
             3I am a thousand winds that blow,
             4I am the softly falling snow.
             5I am the gentle showers of rain,
             6I am the fields of ripening grain.
             7I am in the morning hush,
             8I am in the graceful rush
             9Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
            10I am the starshine of the night.
            11I am in the flowers that bloom,
            12I am in a quiet room.
            13I am in the birds that sing,
            14I am in each lovely thing.
            15Do not stand at my grave and cry,
            16I am not there -- I do not die.

Notes

1] Version 1 may be what the Federal Printing Press produced as a postcard for Margaret Scharzkopf's parents' friends. It differs from Version 2, claimed by Frye in 2000 as her original, to judge by what she read from that for Kelly Ryan on the Ideas interview, lines 11-14 and the present tense "do" in line 16.

Online text copyright © 2003, Ian Lancashire for the Department of English, University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.

Original text: (1) Version 1: unpublished, except as postcard, for which see "A Poetic Journey," Ideas (CBC Radio One, May 10, 2000). URL: http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/ideas/poetic_journey/ . The text of Frye's poem is taken from the postcard reproduced on this site, ca. 1932. (2) Version 2: Ideals Magazine (ca. 2000); reproduced at www.magicinterludes.net/snowyowlet/farewell.html (2001).
First publication date: 1932
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2002
Recent editing: 1:2002/8/16

Composition date: 1932
Form: couplets

more info here:

http://www.magicinterludes.net/snowyowlet/farewell.html
and here:
http://www.donotstandatmygrave.com/

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 11:47 PM

Obituaries (Times Online November 05, 2004) - Mary E. Frye

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wi
From: open mike
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 12:14 AM

that is a beautiful story, thanks for finding and sharing it.

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 01:12 AM

Thank you so much open mike, Do not stand at my grave and weep is the very one I was looking for, I just hope I can hold it together long enough to recite it at the funeral.

It is amazing, thank you all so much.

WHB

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wi
From: open mike
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 01:22 AM

if you practice until the words flow freely
then you will have a better chance at it..
there have been discussions here before about
how to perform music, or speak at memorials,
etc.

i am sorry to hear you have lost your friend,
jsut know that if you need to let your feelings
come through, that everyone there will understand.

tears and sadness are natural at such a time,
and it might even be un-natural to avoid them!
however you do, know that it is o.k.

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: dianavan
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 01:43 AM

This was the eulogy at my father's funeral. Thanks for reminding me. It is the perfect way to remember.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and know that when you voice this beautiful eulogy, family and friends will be comforted.

I still believe he is the starshine, twinkling his love.

Subject: RE: Eulogy or Song? (I am not gone, I am in the wind)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 03:12 AM

My friend Pete's daughter Rachael, a kind, vivacious and beautiful girl, was killed in a car crash - no one else involved - when she was 20. Her best friend recited 'Do Not Stand At My Grave' at her funeral, to a church packed with her young friends. In that two minutes the cloud of doom lifted, and what had been a dreadful and harrowing experience became an uplifting celebration for the (albeit short) life of a fine young lady.

Grit your teeth and give it your best shot, and believe in the truth of the words.

S:0)