Funeral Songs

[whatever]

Maybe it's because I've only been to repressed Catholic funerals - but do other religions really play music at funerals? Will they let you do whatever you want in a service? I'm picturing the crazy atmosphere of "Six Feet Under", and remembering the biker and polygamist funerals now.

[madangela]

No longer the slave of ambition,
I laugh at the world and its shams
As I think of my pleasant condition,
Surrounded by acres of clams —
Surrounded by acres of cla-a-ams,
Surrounded by acres of clams,
As I think of my happy condition,
Surrounded by acres of clams!

And of course this would work equally well in a Scientologist cemetary...Wow, I wonder if there are such things. Because I bet the inscriptions are a riot.

[dandesun]

When my Dad was in the final days of his battle with cancer he wrote out the songs he wanted sung at his memorial service. He was a member of the Praise Band at his church so many of them were the songs you hear on those Spirit radio stations and whatnot.

And when he did lose him, a friend sang 'My Old Friend' both at the church service following his death and at the memorial service.

I can't hear that song without thinking of Dad now. I think it's really beautiful and sad. Hell, I tear up every time.

"My old friend, I recall
The times we had hanging on my wall
I wouldn't trade them for gold
Cause they laugh and they cry me
Somehow sanctify me
They're woven in the stories I have told
And tell again

My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets thin, my old friend

Don't know why, don't know why
Don't know why, don't know why

My old friend, this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
Cause the love and the laughter
Will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again, my old friend

Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye

My old friend, my old friend
Goodbye, goodbye"

[Deleted]

I want Nick Cave and Johnny Cash's duet of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." I want people to be sad when I'm gone, dammit, especially as only about five people will show up at my funeral, I'm sure.

I should ask my dad what he wants played. He's a pretty guy and I'm sure will give some weird-ass answer.

[dancedancexenu]

I asked my dad this question while I was on vacation (to be fair it was about three in the morning and we had both made our way through the better part of a case of Kokanee). His answer? "I want that song that ugly girl from the Black Eyed Peas sings. You know, that London Bridge one. I want everyone to be looking at each other like "what the hell" while eight men in pink short shorts hoist my coffin down the aisle like a baton."

My dad is so weird. And straight, despite what that quote might intone.

[heyalice]

Your dad's awesome.

[girlnamedcarl]

"Together Alone" by Crowded House. It even sounds like you're putting someone's body in a sea canoe and setting it adrift from the shore of a south Pacific island at the end.

Edited to add: Not literally, I mean. (That would sound weird and not musical at all.) I just mean that's one of the images that comes to mind from the music. The parts in Maori are sung by the Te Waka Huia Cultural Group Choir.

Oddly, I'd also pick this song for my theoretical wedding.

LYRICS

Together alone
above and beneath
we were as close
as anyone can be
now you are gone
far away from me
as is once will always be
together alone

anei ra maua (here we are together)
e piri tahi nei (in a very close embrace)
e noha tahi nei (being together)
ko maua anake (just us alone)

kei runga a Rangi (Rangi the sky-father is above)
ko papa Kai raro (the earth mother is below)
e mau tonu nei (our love for one another)
kia mau tonu ra (is everlasting)

Together alone
shallow and deep
holding our breath
paying death no heed
I'm still your friend
when you are in need
as is once will always be
earth and sky
moon and sea

[Sunnyhorse]

whatever said:

Maybe it's because I've only been to repressed Catholic funerals - but do other religions really play music at funerals? Will they let you do whatever you want in a service? I'm picturing the crazy atmosphere of "Six Feet Under", and remembering the biker and polygamist funerals now.

Whatever, I've got quite a few Catholic relatives and friends (it is St. Louis, after all) , and I've never attended a Catholic funeral Mass that didn't feature music, "On Eagles' Wings" and "Amazing Grace" being the most common selections.

[scotlandpa]

I want Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" played at my funeral.

Lyrics:

In the twilight glow I see her
Blue eyes crying in the rain
When we kissed goodbye and parted
I knew we'd never meet again

Love is like a dying ember
Only memories remain
Through the ages I remember
Blue eyes crying in the rain

Someday when we meet up yonder
We'll stroll hand in hand again
In a land that knows no parting
Blue eyes crying in the rain

Blue eyes crying in the rain
Blue eyes crying in the rain
Blue eyes crying in the rain

[glitterbug]

The hubby wants The End by the Doors, complete with "Mother...I wanna fuck you!"

Can't imagine what anyone will think of that (myself included). I'm starting to hope I go first. I would like something cheery and unexpected - like Abba or Kylie or some 70's disco classic.