Favourite Funeral Songs/Songs of Mourning

[Em Tee]

A good friend passed away yesterday unexpectedly. I'd like to play some tunes in his honor. Just curious what your favorite funeral songs are.

[Randi Gormley]

Not necessarily a funeral song, but The Parting Glass can be a nicely mournful piece. And Amazing Grace, of course.

[MikeEdgerton]

I have played Will the circle be unbroken at four funerals in the last three months, all by request. Given my choice I usually do Further Along (Farther Along).

[F-2 Dave]

In the Garden is always popular. I've done Sweet Beulah Land many times. Once was asked to do Ghost riders in the sky. I replied "well, okay.".

[CES]

Go Rest High on that Mountain pops immediate to mind. Though it’s not a “funeral song,” The Old Rugged Cross was my dad’s favorite hymn, so my daughter sang it at his funeral. Boy, it’s a funeral song to me.

New Orleans Function by Louis Armstrong and his Allstars is also a favorite, and kind of how I hope mine goes. A few tears and a little mourning, and then a big honkin’ party!

[Manfred Hacker]

I would play "A place in the heart" by Bill Crahan.

A very moving melody.

[bigskygirl]

I like this one, sorry for your loss..I just found out myself a dear friend has passed away today...RIP

[ajh]

Geoff Muldaurs' version of "Just A Little While To Stay Here". Is actually an old NOLA funeral tune (my understanding).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsm3FwkNOTw

[MissingString]

Wayfaring Stranger is another one about the journey of life and (to me) is haunting and very mournful. Also, there is a movie (2012) from Belgium about a bluegrass band called “The Broken Circle Breakdown”. It’s a very sad and touching movie, versions of Will the Circle... and Wayfaring Stranger played during appropriate scenes are just outstanding.

Very sorry for your loss.

[Frost]

I played Angel Band at my Father's funeral. It was the right song.

I'll probably do I am Weary for Mother when it's time.

[sblock]

The saddest song I've ever heard in the bluegrass genre (and possibly in any other) is "Your Long Journey," written by Doc Watson and his wife, Rosa Lee. This cover by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is particularly poignant.

[Dave Sheets]

From the celtic world, "Da Socklit light"- which more or less means the light that has gone out- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPWuJw5JQyk

[Dacraw54]

Ashokan Farewell
Isn’t it Grand, Boys?
The Last Rose Of Summer
Yesterday, When I Was young
The Green Leaves of Summer

[Kevin Lacey]

How about Coleman's March ?

[allenhopkins]

Two suggestions, one old and one new:

Who Will Sing For Me (Stanley Brothers)



What Will I Leave (Si Kahn)

[Mark Gunter]

Far Side Bank of Jordan

[Dave Martin]

I played this at a memorial for a good, good, friend last week. I had started it last year, and dusted it off after he died. It's a message to the living. It was well received. A good harmonica player played fills and took a break.

We also played "Ripple" by Grateful Dead, and one of our friends favorites, "Knocking On Heaven's Door" which was appropriate for him, but perhaps not for all.

[Bob Clark]

Flowers of the Forest.

[mandocrucian]

"When I Get To The Border" - Richard & Linda Thompson
"Tango Till They're Sore" - Tom Waits
"Black Muddy River" - Grateful Dead
"My Main Trial Is Yet To Come" - The Stanley Brothers
"Dirt In The Ground" - Tom Waits

[doubleR]

The prelude to Bachs second cello suite is really mournful. Some think Bach wrote it after learning about his wife's death. I think it sounds especially haunting on mandolin.

[jaycat]

. . . "Dirt In The Ground" - Tom Waits

Well now, isn't that jolly.

[dhergert]

Just a Closer Walk

[mandocrucian]

"When I Get To The Border" (excerpt)
Dirty people take what's mine,
I can leave them all behind.
They can never cross that line
when I get to the border.
Sawbones standing at the door waiting 'til I hit the floor
He won't find me anymore when I get to the border

"Tango Til They're Sore" (excerpt)
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Send me off to bed for evermore
Send me off to bed for evermore

"My Main Trial Is yet To Come" chorus:
My main trial is yet to come, O Lord.
I'm sentenced to die at dawn
But after I die in the electric chair
My main trial is yet to come

"Dirt In The Ground" (verse 1 and chorus)
What does it matter, a dream of love or a dream of lies
We're all gonna be the same place when we die
Your spirit don't leave knowing, yur face or your name
And the wind through your bones is all that remains

And we're all gonna be
I said we're all gonna be
I said we're all gonna be
I said we're all gonna be
Just dirt in the ground

And Jaycat, my little droogie,....it can get much, much "jollier"...

Earth Died Screaming lyrics

but perhaps you would prefer "He Went To Sleep and the Hogs Ate Him" ? Though I have to say, that song does put things into perspective too.

BTW, know what the most requested song at British funerals is? "Always Look On The Bright Side" from Monty Python's The Life of Brian

[mrmando]

[mrmando]