Sung to “The Yellow Rose of Texas”
Great choice. Actually anything from Van the Man would be ok with me.
Amazing Grace also sounds great to the tune of “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
And O Little Town of Bethlehem’s words also get a major boost from the “House of the Rising Sun” tune.
But I’ll never forgive the Doper who first pointed out to me that most of Tolkien’s songs and poetry work to “Camptown Races.”
Far o’er the misty mountains old, - Doo Dah! Doo Dah!!!
To dungeons deep and caverns cold, - Ooooh, Doo Dah day!!!
I love this one too. Beautiful.
I don’t want a funeral; I think they’re obscene. I want my organs harvested and the rest of my body used for science, and then cremated.
So there won’t be any ceremony with music, but I’d like those who loved me to listen to this in memoriam:
"The Far Shore" by The Seekers. Judith Durham has the most amazing voice ever!Nice to Know You
by Incubus
The Blue Gates of Death by Current 93
Since I’ll be cremated,* Light My Fire* or* Disco Inferno*. Maybe Don’t Fear The Reaper as people leave the ceremony.
Try this version by Unto Ashes. Perfect funeral music.
A Waltz in A (closing theme to Saturday Night Live)
My Life Flows On (a/k/a How Can I Keep from Singing?)
Something ridiculously inappropriate like Every Breath You Take or Yackety Sax.
Styx’s Come Sail Away.
I probably won’t have music playing as I go into the ground. But if I did I’d choose A Mighty Fortress is Our God.
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
The kingdom’s ours forever.
My Mom asked that In Paradisum be sung at hers.
“May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. May choirs of angels welcome you and lead you to the bosom of Abraham; and where Lazarus is poor no longer may you find eternal rest.”
I think Dylan’s Mississippi would be good for me, especially this verse:
I don’t know what song(s) I prefer be played at my service, if there is one, but I just wanted to mention some of the songs I’ve heard during services for people I’ve lost along the way.
My sister, who died at age 32 requested Sunset by Roxy Music and Love Is the Answer by England Dan & John Ford Coley, among others during her funeral service.
My friend Jeff, who died a few years back in his late 40’s, had Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd played during a DVD presentation and The The’s Uncertain Smile, which played during the clips of happy/funny moments of his life. Plus it was one of his favorite songs.
My cousins asked me to put together some music for the service of my favorite aunt. She was a big Rod Stewart fan, so I added his song “Sailing” into the mix.
My friend Alicia just died this past year and Van Morrison’s Into The Mystic set the mood beautifully for her service. She would’ve loved it.
Oh, Gil-Galad was an Elven King, doo-dah, doo-dah!
Of him the harpers sadly sing, oh doo-dah day!
And for my funeral, The Replacements with Left of the Dial:
Even when I’m not around, you can still look for me in the music.
John Mellencamp’s Longest Days, off his excellent album Life, Death, Love And Freedom would provide some food for thought for those attending.
Seems like once upon a time ago
I was where I was supposed to be
My vision was true and my heart was too
There was no end to what I could dream
I walked like a hero into the setting sun
Everyone called out my name
Death to me was just a mystery
I was too busy raising up Cain
But nothing lasts forever
Your best efforts don’t always pay
Sometimes you get sick
And don’t get better
That’s when life is short
Even in its longest days