Funeral Songs

[smilnJackB]

Good music is a big part of a good funeral. #For my funeral, I would like a mando player and guitar player with nice voices to sing and play Amazing Grace, Glory Glory (Since I Laid My Burden Down) and one or two other songs--- Maybe an instrumetal version of the Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want. #
#I would like my friends to jam after my funeral. #I hope this event is delayed for few decades. #What songs would you choose? #
# #Jack
#
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Coy Wylie]

I attended a funeral last week where some friends of mine (guitar/fiddle) played "God on the Mountain" and "Far Side Banks of Jordan." Excellent!

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

hey sJB -'Lay My Burden Down' is a good one - my buddy Gabe and I do that one at all kinds of gigs.
I sang 'Pastures of Plenty' at my Mother's funeral.
At mine? Well, I gotta think about that one, as I may not even have a funeral. But for starters, how about 'Sea of Heartbreak'?

[jim simpson]

Will You Miss Me

[Bob A]

Amazing Grace on a National (lots of slide) and a Nawlins-style rendition of When the Saints, complete with marching band. Mebbe an open bar at the gravesite? Haven't given it much thought, since it's sure that I won't be in a position to enjoy the party.

[JiminRussia]

You're asking the wrong person. I wont be able to hear it. Ask the folks, if any, that are going to attend.

[maroon]

This is an interesting question. #I've thought about this on and off for quite a while. #Somewhere around here is a piece of paper where I actually wrote down the fact that I wanted the first 2 of these at my funeral. #The third is a very recent addition.

1. #Amazing Grace on bagpipes. #As many know, this was written out of the heart and experience of John Newton a slave ship captain who saw his life entirely changed. #I love the celebration of the verse, "When we've been there, ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less day to sing God's praise, than when we first begun."

2. #It is Well With My Soul on a pipe organ. #Written by a man upon learning that his wife and daughters had been lost at sea. #It is a song of comfort, deep strength and ultimate celebration. I love the verse "Lord, blessed be the day when my faith shall be sight. #The clouds be rolled back as a scroll. #The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend. #It is well, it is well with my soul." #

3. #(A very recent addition) a contemporary up tempo song with full contemporary band. #I belive the song is entitled "Blessed Be the Name." #It has a verse: #Every blessing you pour out I'll turn back to praise. #When the darkness closes in still I will say" and then the chorus "Blessed be the Name of the Lord. #Blessed be the Name of the Lord. My heart will always say, blessed be His Name." #I find this very comforting and very true.

I like the idea of a jam, Jack. #At some point, probably at the grave site after the grave site service and after everyone else has gone, I'd like some musician friends to stay a little while under the tent and jam by my side one last time.

This is an excellent question. #I hope it gets many responses.

[johnwalser]

Old songs written in the late 2050s.
John

[sailaway]

Good question ! I think I'd lead off (oops, i guess-- my friends would lead off --) with Angel Band (my latest sun is sinking fast, my race is nearly run , my strongest trials now are past , my TRIUMPH has begun! ) then they segue into "I'll Fly Away " ( some bright morning , when this life is over .... I'll FLY AWAY !!!!! YAY!!!! ... just like a bird who these prison walls has flown ...) then maybe O Them Golden Slippers, 'they will look so neat 'for the proper fashion effect , after flying all that way into heaven. O yeah, -- after the good songs , then make sure all your bluegrass buddies have some good brew to drink at your wake, and may ye be in heaven an hour beofre the devil knows you be dead.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Like wow! I'm goin to a wake/funeral for my aunt day after tomorrow. At least it's hers an not mine - yet. If I decide to I'll probably do Amazin Grace on Harmonica. Anyway...

At my funeral in the 22nd century (I hope - as if) I'd like Amazin Grace, Uncloudy Day, Keep on the Sunny Side, Rank Stranger, Garth Brooks The Dance, Ghost Riders, Amarillo By Morning, Josh Turner Long Black Train and some Cowboy Poetry especially Reincarnation. A poem where a fellow dies is buried, is transformed into soil, a flower grows on the spot, a horse eats the flower, takes a dump, a buddy happens by looks at the horse apples an says that I ain't changed all that much. Probably true in some folks opinion. The last song I'd like to have at my funeral is the last song sung at my wedding - Roy Rodgers Happy Trails - to you until we meet again...

I don't want folks to come to my funeral but to come to my wake - an if a pickin party starts - so much the better.

Take Care! -Ed-

[rhetoric]

"Don't Ya Monkey 'Round My Widder When I'm Gone" by Chet and Doc. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[kvk]

"Brokedown Palace" - Garcia/Hunter

Fare you well, my honey
Fare you well, my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Are flown, except you alone

Gonna leave this brokedown palace
On my hands and my knees, I will roll, roll, roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll, roll

In a bed, in a bed
By the waterside I will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

River gonna take me, sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy all the way back home
It's a far gone lullaby sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come since I first left home

Going home, going home
By the waterside I will rest my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Going to plant a weeping willow
On the banks' green edge it will grow, grow, grow
Singing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go, the river will roll, roll, roll

Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

[John S]

What do I want played at my funeral? Well, considering my name... Get Up John!

[John Flynn]

I'll go with the Joe Diffie tune:


Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die
Lord I wanna go to heaven, but I don't wanna go tonight
Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand
Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die
Seriously, I do a mean rendition of "Amazing Grace" on the harmonica. I go for a real "lonesome" sound with a lot of slow vibrato. I have done it for years during the Lenten season at church and I have had multiple requests to do it at funerals.

[Cragger]

this is easy, "my last days on earth" by monroe with a full symphony backing it with choir singers and everything. just the way it was on his 2cd anthology set. i was learning to play this song one night over at my parents house and my mom said that she would be honored if i would play it at her funeral.

[smilnJackB]

WOW, what great responses, songs and ideas. It's tough to beat Amazing Grace on a bagpipe. And for veterans, playing Taps on a bugle... it always makes me cry. I think I will make Angel Band my third song choice and I am going to add it to my 'perform' list. Thanks. Jack

[Mastersound]

Hi all

I almost died from congestive heart failure back in 1999, so I've given this a bit of thought since and my partner and my daughter both have the playlist and a CD of the tracks I'd like to have at my funeral gathering.

"For The Children" by John Schumann kinda sums up my thoughts on life, the universe and everything, and as it's an Aussie song by an Aussie I've taken the liberty of including the lyrics for you here!


For the Children - John Schumann

The lady from the paper asked me would I write a song for you,
I didn't know you then but now I do.
And I'm stuck in this motel room with an empty aching heart,
And the miles roll out between us and they're tearing me apart…
All I've got are tunes and rhymes - this one's for you.

May you always feel the sunshine and take time to taste the rain,
May your friends be true and caring and I hope you are the same;
And in your fleeting passage, leave a little bit behind
For the children who will follow in your footsteps, along the sands of time.

I dreamed there was a world for you, without the rush of rockets
And the thump of khaki gunships in the sky…
But there were rows of eucalyptus and trains for little boys
And tadpoles in a still black creek and playgrounds full of noise;
In my vision, fear and greed and anger were the only things to die…

May the wind blow gently through your life, may your principles be strong;
May you stand up and be counted when they work out right from wrong…
May your nights be short and peaceful, may your days be warm and long;
May your music be a service…may they pause sometime and listen to your song

And here's this little voice, reaching down the phone,
"Dad you've been away so long, when are you coming home?"

May your eyes be filled with kindness, may the seeds of wisdom grow…
May you seek for truth and beauty and when you find it may you know…
May you help feed those who are hungry, and comfort those who hurt
May you always fright for justice for all of us who walk upon the earth

[joshro78]

Maroon,
Great choice with It is Well With My Soul. I've always loved that song. And Amazing Grace on Bagpipes at a funeral, I've experienced that one before, if that doesn't touch you I don't know what will. On a lighter note- I had bagpipes at my wedding! But if I had to choose ONE song I would pick Be Thou My Vision, that song brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it.

[Ken Berner]

"Who Will Sing For Me" picked on guitar by Earl if I go first.
"Amazing Grace" a capella.
"Far Side Bank of Jordan" if I precede my wife.

Since I haven't firmed up my funeral plans, I'm sure to request other great songs, performed by my closest pickin' survivors!

[Mark Normand]

Wow, in the bluegrass/gospel world, there sure are lots of choices. About midday thru the jam, this one, then later end the jam on a happy upbeat note.

Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn, The

The darkest hour is just before dawn
The narrow way leads home
Lay down your soul at Jesus' feet
The darkest hour is just before dawn
The sun is slowly sinking
The day is almost gone
Still darkness falls around us
And we must journey on

Like a shepherd out on the mountain
A watching the sheep down below
He's coming back to claim us
Will you be ready to go

[Kelly_guy]

Rob/Mastersound, that John Schumann song is wonderful! I looked on amazon.com and couldn't find anything by him. I'd love to hear how that song goes.

Oh, Brokedown Palace, great choice indeed!

Me, I'd like my friends to play Iris DeMent's tune "Let the Mystery Be". Lyle Lovett's "The Waltzing Fool" would be a good choice, too. I had that played at my wedding. The marriage only lasted 2 years, but I'm still waltzing like a fool!

And since this event will, with luck, be a long time in the future, my niece and nephews will by then be a well-known bluegrass family trio, the Duerr's, and I'll have them play a nice medley of fiddle tunes. So far, the younger nephew hasn't picked up the fiddle, but the older two are great on guitar and banjo.

[mandowannabe]

I kind of like "Beulah Land, and Rank Stranger," when the time comes of course, way on down the road! # G.B.

[Flowerpot]

I told my wife I wanted somebody to sing "Angel Band", followed by "When We All Get to Heaven", done very uptempo. And my wife and I agree, when we go, absolutely no organ music! Any organ music, and I'll come back to haunt ye!

("Get Up John" -- now John, that's a good one!)

[Eugene]

I'm partial to Fernando Sor's (1778-1839) Elegiac Fantasy, op. 59 for solo guitar with the long funeral march...but I'm a geek.

[evanreilly]

I want the Black Watch to play slow airs and marches on the pipes & drums; 'The Skye Boat Song' is the best slow march. I made recording of quite a few slow marches by several pipe bands, which I play on occasion in memory of my dad.

[phynie]

a funeral song discussion and no "Stairway to Heaven" or "highway to Hell"?!!! I know this is a mandolin board but come on! =)

Just goofing!

I would love "So Many Roads" by the Grateful Dead

[oh danny boy]

Ashokan Farewell - just a beautiful tune

[KYGirl]

I would have some of my closest pickin' friends sing acapella to "Some Day" by Blue Highway. #That song gives me goosebumps every time.

SOME DAY
(Words by Olive Stockton; Music by Tim Stafford)

Some day when my last line is written
Some day when I’ve drawn my last breath
When my last words on earth have been spoken
And my lips are sealed in death:

Don’t look on my cold form in pity
Don’t think of me as one dead
It will just be the house I once lived in
My spirit by then will have fled

I’ll have finished my time here allotted
But I won’t be in darkness alone
I will have heard from heaven
The summons to come on home

And when my body is in the grave
Don’t think that I’ll be there
I won’t be dead, but living
In the place Jesus went to prepare

And after all is said and done
Know that my last earnest prayer
Was that my loved ones be ready
Some day to meet me there

[Django Fret]

"Heaven, I'm in Heaven..."

[kgimbal]

"Lay Down Your Weary Tune" by Bob Dylan...(Tim O'Brien does the most righteous version on his 'Red on Blonde' CD)

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

Struck by the sounds before the sun,
I knew the night had gone.
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
Against the drums of dawn.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

The ocean wild like an organ played,
The seaweed's wove its strands.
The crashin' waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and sands.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws.
The cryin' rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

The last of leaves fell from the trees
And clung to a new love's breast.
The branches bare like a banjo played
To the winds that listened best.

I gazed down in the river's mirror
And watched its winding strum.
The water smooth ran like a hymn
And like a harp did hum.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.

[kgimbal]

Or, if I had two choices for songs at my funeral, I would definitely want this one, which I've sung at a funeral myself... hard to get through without tearing up

# # # # # # # #The Parting Glass

Of all the money ere I had, I spent it in good company,
And all the harm I've ever done, alas was to none but me
and all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall
so fill me to the parting glass, goodnight and joy be with you all.

If I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
there is a fair maid in this town who surely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, I own, she has my heart enthralled
so fill me to the parting glass goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
and all the sweethearts ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
but since it fell unto my lot that I should rise and you should not,
I'll gently rise and softly call, goodnight and joy be with you all

[kgimbal]

I'm really sorry, but I just remembered one more.. from the movie, "Eraser Head", there was a quick song that went,

"In Heaven, Everything is Alright!"

[bratsche]

Well, since one geek has already weighed in (Hi, Eugene!), I really love the Fauré Requiem, with its sublime viola- and cello-dominant string orchestration. Also the Cantique de Jean Racine by the same composer, for the same reasons. ;-)

I suppose it's just as well that I plan to be cremated, though, since I doubt my friends would put together a whole chorus and orchestra to perform these pieces. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

bratsche

[mandorado]

I have a HUGE family ... and the tune I hear most often at family funerals is "The Old Rugged Cross". Apparently its a tradition.
I would prefer "Shove the pigs foot ..." http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandorado]

I am currently working on a recording, that I have requested be played at my funeral. It will surely send the relatives packing.
Anybody see "Man in the Moon", about Andy Kaufman?

[jbrwky]

Bonnie Charlie 'as gone a-wah,
Sailing o'er the bounding main.
Many's the heart that's broke in twa,
Will ye no come back again.

Will ye no come back again,
Will ye no come back again.
Better loved ye canna be,
Will ye no come back again.

[jbrwky]

My life flows on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real though far-off hymn,
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?

[MandoA5]

I think I would like Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, and an acoustic version of Go Rest High on That Mountain. Then afterwards, all the folk have a big party and celebrate my going to a better place.

[John Flynn]

jbrwky:

"How Can I Keep From Singing" is one of my favorite hymns, but I never thought of it for a funeral. Good call! BTW, have you heard Enya's version of it on her "Shepherd Moons" CD? It's a departure from her usual synthesized music. It's mostly just her singing solo over a softly played organ. Very nice!

[smilnJackB]

Mandorado is working on a recording for his own funeral. That's unusual, but seems like a neat idea. I will think about doing the same myself and maybe having some special friends join me.
Have you been to a funeral where someone has recorded their own funeral songs? What do you think about doing that? Jack

[fatt-dad]

"When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there"

Pretty sure that would inspire the howdown.

fatt-dad

[Scotti Adams]

..Just prop me up beside the jukebox when I die...

[John Flynn]

Have you been to a funeral where someone has recorded their own funeral songs? What do you think about doing that?
Each to one's own tastes, but that seems a little creepy to me.

[Peter Hackman]

Not that I really care (I won't be there) but the most
logical piece would be "My Life's Been a Pleasure"
by Jesse Ashlock (I learned it from a Jimmy Wakely song
book 45 years ago). The title fits, also it's
a song that I've blown on so much that it almost feels
like I wrote it myself.

I guess nobody wolud want to learn any of my compositions
for that occasion.

Then there is my favorite fiddle tune, Brilliancy, that
I learned from a Howdy Forrester album 40 years ago
and recorded myself in 1969. Someone may still have a copy
of that single!

[justwrite]

Great thread!

A friend of mine and I once exchanged a long thread of e-mails that started off with what we would want our headstones to say. We both agreed that we would prefer wakes to funerals and eternal beer taps to eternal flames at our graves.

SmilnJackB -- Funny you should mention "You Can't Always Get What you Want." That's always been one of my theme songs and should definitely be played a my funeral, along with an instrumental version of "It's not easy Bein' Green" since that's my last name, and Steve Goodman's "Between the Lines." And since I told my friend I wanted my ashes scattered in the tomato garden, Guy Clark's "Homegrown Tomatoes" is a must.

[jbrwky]

Mando Johnny,I haven't heard Enya's version but I'll look for it. Mine starts acappella then bagpipes come in from far off. Really great sound. My favorite verse:

When tyrants tremble sick with fear,
And hear their death knells ringing.
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing.

[Kirby161]

"Growing older but not up" by Jimmy Buffett.
"I'd rather die while im living than live while im dead."
It would also depress the hell out of my living friends and maybe they would come to meet me just after they heard it.

[Pete Braccio]

I second KVK's recommendation of The Dead's Brokedown Palace. I've always thought that that was the perfect song for a final farewell.

Pete

[Jim Webster]

Not being of any particular religion makes picking funeral music needlessly confusing.But I'll also vote for Amazing Grace on harmonica. I played it years ago on an A harmoinca I had in my brief case. This was in the small hours of the morning with a business acqaintance who happened to have his bagpipes. It was the one song we both seemed to know and could play in a common key on our respective axes. His girlfriend, who was trying to sleep in the next room is obviously a saint, so I --and certainly not he of the bagpipes -- won't be meeting her in the hereafter. And aside from that and its just a great song that everyone likes to stand up and sing. Second on the set list is "Nobody's Fault But Mine" with a slide played on my resonator guitar. By definition, I won't be able to play so I'd like to wait at least until my grandson is old enough to do the honors. He's a year old now. With luck he won't get into slide until he's 50.

[Jim Hilburn]

When my Mom passed away early this year, my sisters asked me to come up with some music for the service. It was going to be something recorded, and I was away from my collection. I had sent her some CD's over the years, and one was Emmylou Harris' Angel Band. I thought her version of that song would be nice ,but quite emotional.
However, I had been listening to the MP-3 collection on the Cafe on my visit to my folks last Christmas since Dad has DSL, and remembered how nice Scott Tichenor's versions of "O'Carolyns Draught" and and "A Place in the Heart" were.
I made a recording, and had them loop them at the beginning and end of the service. I felt these songs were not really sad, but just very beautiful and appropriate.

[MikeB]

Coolest tune I ever heard at a funeral was Santo & Jonny's "Sleepwalk." I think Niles H. does a version on mando.

[mando bandage]

I always approach this topic with no small measure of trepidation, because it seems to demand that the participants bring a lunch, or even a bedroll, just to get through all the music. (Y'all aren't making it any easier either, I've picked up several more from your suggestions) However, the following are "musts":

Be Still My Soul, a hymn set to "Finlandia"

Amazing Grace (took the occasion to play this on the mandolin when visiting my Scottish father-in-law's grave in Jefferson Barracks national cemetery with my wife and mother-in-law. Wife's taking up the bagpipes. Can't wait for that visit to the cemetery.)

Simple Song by Lyle Lovett, dedicated to my son.

Dust by Fleetwood Mac, (from the good, old, pre-Stevie Nicks days) (dedicated to my bride of ___ summers)

Written by Danny Kirwan.


When the white flame in us is gone
And we that lost the world's delight
Stiffen in darkness.
Left alone
To crumble in our separate light
When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

When the white flame in us is gone
And we that lost the world's delight
Stiffen in darkness
Left alone
To crumble in our separate light
When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

And to end it all on an up note:

Little Bit of Sympathy by Robin Trower:

The light is strong and the man is weak
And the world walks in between
So rise above on the wings of love
See and let yourself be seen
See and let yourself be seen

So fill your cup and drink it on up
For tomorrow never comes
If you weild the rod, answer to your God
But me I'll be up and gone
I'll be up and gone, gone
I'll be up and a gone

If the sea was glass and the land all gone
Would you still be a friend to me
When my time has passed, is it to much to ask
For a little bit of sympathy
Just a little bit of sympathy lord
A little bit of sympathy

R http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[JGWoods]

Doc Watson's "Your Long Journey" to be played if I go before my bride, or for me to sing if she goes first.

best
gw

[Jim Hilburn]

The Tim and Mollie O'Brien version of "Your Long Journey" is good, too, although that's one sad song.

[mandoanon]

Walking In Jerusalem Just Like John - Bill Monroe

[GVD]

"Bright Morning Stars" by the Freight Hoppers. And then just to inject a little levity in the whole affair "Please Don't Bury Me" by John Prine.

GVD

[mando bandage]

"Please Don't Bury Me" by John Prine.


As Mr. Prine once put it, "the world's only organ donation campfire song."

My list just keeps getting longer.

R

[futrconslr]

Wayfaring Stranger

[mandorado]

I just want to throw in a quick comment about how cool this thread is. A great topic, and wonderful suggestions. Really informative. Thanks everyone.

[Dan Cole]

For my dad's funeral last year I made a Power Point slide show of his life with "Ashokan FArewell"

I then played "Wayfaring Stranger" at his service on my mandolin. #I had the words printed on the back of the program for those in attendance to follow along with. #It was real fitting for my dad. #

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There's no sickness, toil or danger
In that fair land to which I go

I'm going home to see my Mother
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

I know dark clouds will hover or me
I know my pathways rough and steep
Yet golden fields lie there before me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
I'll soon be free from every trial
This form shall rest beneath the sod
I’ll take the cross of Christ united
Then I’ll be at home with God

I'm going home to see my Savior
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

[rixter]

Well, I'm sort of stuck somewhere between two songs: "Goin' Down Slow" ("I have had my fun, If I don't get well no more..") and "The Lone Pilgrim" below:

Lone Pilgrim
I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay
And pensively stood by his tomb
When In a low whisper I heard someone say
How sweetly I sleep here alone

The tempest may howl and the loud thunder roar
And gathering storms may arise
But calm is my feeling at rest is my soul
The tears are all wiped from my eyes

The cause of my master compels me from home
No kindred or relatives nigh
I met the contingent and sank to the tomb
My soul flew to mansions on high

Go tell my companions and children most dear
To weep not for me while I'm gone
The same hand that led me through storms most severe
Has kindly assisted me on

[Trip]

My fiddlers Dad just passed, and we played throughout the service.....opened with a Wayfaring Stranger......Uncloudy Day....Amazing Grace....Workin on a Bldg......Paradise.......I am a Pilgrim.......as the casket was walked from the tiny chapel and down a gravel path to the gravesite we started an acapella 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken'that all joined in on all the way down the path.....after the final words were spoken we did an Ill Fly Away

It was an amazing emotional experience for me and the family, I hope someone sends me out half that well

Stranger String Band (http://www.strangerstringband.com)

[Hubert Angaiak]

If you haven't done so, take a listen to Pass Me Not played by Butch Baldassari.... its all mando. I like that. I never thought about it other than being cremated and be spread over my favorite hunting and fishing sites. If I had a choice I'd rather have them do a dance and play all the songs I've loved to play.

[mandorookie]

I've told my wife to gather our musician friends, and have them play uptempo gospel bluegrass till their fingers ache and they just can't play another note! I figure I'll be celebrating where I'll be, so they might as well join in the singin'!

[SlowHands]

When I was younger, I wanted the second movement from Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Then as I got older, I favored the Adagio from Mahler's 5th Symphony. Now that I'm broadening my horizons, I'd like to have Tom Waits' "Closing Time."

[rnjl]

Well, just to inject a small note (as it were) of cross-cultural information trading, I'd point out that music - or instrumental music, at least - is not a universal funeral custom. (Not that I think anybody is claiming such.)

I believe that many traditional Catholic parishes - at least around here - do not allow popular music as part of the funeral service, and neither do most traditional synagogues. (Some liberal rabbis and synagogues probably do allow popular music.)

There's something extraordinary about the simplicity, in a traditional Jewish funeral, of the unaccompanied human voice, especially when it's a trained cantor singing the mournful memorial prayer, or chanting the 121st or 23rd or 90th Psalm.

When my mother passed away, not too long ago, I chanted the memorial prayer, El Maleh Rachamim ("God full of Mercy")- which has a haunting, modal melody- myself, and I could not have imagined instruments interfering with that starkness and realness- it was just me and the prayer and the Almighty, nothing more, nothing less.

That's what I want at my funeral: the 23rd Psalm, the 121st Psalm, chanted in Hebrew, with the most mournful and lonesomest (the "Hebrew Lonesome Sound") memorial prayer somebody can muster.

Just another way to think about it.

[mandocrucian]

"Tango Til They're Sore" - Tom Waits (Rain Dogs)

"Peltoniemin Hintriikkin Surumarssi" (Hintrikki Peltoniemi's Funeral March) - trad. #Finland (J.P.P. - Kaustinen Rhapsody)

"Dirt In The Ground" - Tom Waits #(Bone Machine)

"Strange Affair" - Richard Thompson (First Light)

"The Harder They Come" - Jimmy Cliff

- - - - - -
other contenders:

"Oh Well" - (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac (Then Play On)

"If Six Was Nine" - Jimi Hendrix Experience (Axis Bold As Love)

"Baltimore" - Lyle Lovett

"When I Get To The Border" - Richard & Linda Thompson (I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight)

"Black Muddy Water" - Grateful Dead (In The Dark)

"I Just Want You To Hurt Like I Do" - Randy Newman (Land Of Dreams)

"Tequilla" - The Champs

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>and of course....(how could I have forgotten?)
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Öyster Cult</span>

Niles H

[KevinM]

Hendrix, Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

"I'll meet you in the next world, don't be late.."

I went to a funeral of a friend of mine years back, who died a young man, and sadly left wife and a child, and after the funeral we retired to his favorite area bar where, pursuant to his request, beverages were "on him" and in the corner was his stereo and stacks and stacks of his vinyl albums, which we played for hours in his memory....

[justwrite]

Y'all are right. There's got to be some John Prine at my funeral too, but which one? "Fishin' and Whistlin'?" "He was in heaven before he died?" Hard to choose.

[Tennessee Jed]

"Amazing Grace" is a must. I like kvk's choice of "Brokedown Palace". Other Grateful Dead songs that I would consider are "Black Muddy River", "Ripple", and "To Lay Me Down".

[mad dawg]

For one, I don't want to have a traditional funeral service---and especially not an open casket. Instead, I want everyone who's willing and able, to join the scattering of my ashes over Ladies' View in Killarney National Forest, where I hope someone will sing the only sad song of the day: Danny Boy. I still need to stake out the venue, but afterwards everyone is welcome to join the wake at a pub yet to be selected, where an upbeat session should follow, with plenty of stout and whiskey for all.

(It probably sounds like I have given this a lot of thought, which I did: my wife and I updated our last will and testaments last year, so I sort of got a bit creative when it came to this part of the document; Jen's will is quite similar, but she specified that no banjos or fiddles would be permitted to her wake. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif )

[Bob A]

I'd previously rung in with Amazing Grace, but last nite i heard Fanfare for the Common Man again, and all my hairs stood up and saluted. I think that would be a powerful triumphant salute, and a heck of a theme with which to pass over to the Other Side.

I am always amazed that people can actually sing, especially at such emotional events. I'm so squishy I can't for the life of me sing a melody that I find at all moving; I just get all choked up.

[SlowHands]

rnjl -

I expect I'll have something more traditional at mine, but I figure sometime after I'd love to have folks gather at a memorial service and listen to some good music (I don't think my Rabbi would appreciate a combo...)

[mad dawg]

This thread seems to have died over the weekend. &lt;sound of rim shot&gt;

[elenbrandt]

All my family has been instructed that if they even dare to have a funeral for me, I want Jimi Hendrix playing "All Along The Watchtower" in a continuous loop...live hard, die harder. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[JackStraw_1969]

Death Don't Have No Mercy - Rev. Gary Davis
and
Brokedown Palace - Grateful Dead

Fare you well, my honey, fare you well my only true one.
All the birds that were singing are flown, except you alone.

Goin' to leave this brokedown palace,
On my hands and my knees I will roll, roll, roll.
Make myself a bed by the waterside,
In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll roll.

In a bed, in a bed, by the waterside I will lay my head.
Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul.

River goin' to take me, sing sweet and sleepy,
Sing me sweet and sleepy all the way back home.
It's a far gone lullaby sung many years ago.
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come since I first left home.

Goin' home, goin' home, by the waterside I will rest my bones.

Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul.

Going to plant a weeping willow;
On the bank's green edge it will grow, grow, grow.
Singin' a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go, the river roll, roll, roll.

Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell.
Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul.
I'm gonna listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul.

[JackStraw_1969]

"Amazing Grace" is a must. I like kvk's choice of "Brokedown Palace". Other Grateful Dead songs that I would consider are "Black Muddy River", "Ripple", and "To Lay Me Down".
All of the above.....

[JackStraw_1969]

Y'all are right. There's got to be some John Prine at my funeral too, but which one? "Fishin' and Whistlin'?" "He was in heaven before he died?" Hard to choose.
Souvenirs maybe? Paradise?

I wouldn't mind hearing "Gallow's Pole" as done by Led Zeppelin. Well, I would rather hear me sing it but since I wont be around, who knows?

[chipotle]

I am surprised at the Dead songs people like......My preference is Ripple, I love the lyric


If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come thru the music,
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,
Perhaps they're better left unsung.
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.

There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.

Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.

You who would lead, must follow
But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

La dee da da da, La da da da da, Da da da, Da da, Da da da da da
La da da da, La da da, Da da, La da da da, La da, Da da.

[Igor The Cat]

The "Thrill Is Gone"!!!!

[mandoJeremy]

I am going to go with "Sapporo". Sam rules! Second would be "Manzanita".

[mandomiss]

I don't know what songs I would want later on, but at the moment I would probably have "The One I Left Behind Me" by Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, "I'll Fly Away" done accapella by my family, "Rosalie" and "Hardtimes" as done by Mike Dowling, "Down in the Willow Garden" as done by Darol Anger and Mike Marshall (even though it's a murder ballad), and "Wayfaring Stranger" as a solo instrumental piece with my dad on guitar.