Music and Poems for a Funeral

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: roopoo
Date: 16 May 01 - 02:37 AM

I have posted this one before. It is a Celtic Blessing for the soul's release. I used the last verse on the flowers for my niece.


You go home this night to your home of winter.
To your home of autumn of spring and of summer;
You go home this night to your lasting home
To your eternal bed, to your sound sleeping.

Sleep now, sleep, and so fade sorrow,
Sleep now, sleep, and so fade sorrow,
Sleep now, sleep, and so fade sorrow,
Sleep, my beloved, in the rock of the fold.

The sleep of seven lights upon you, my dear,
The sleep of seven joys upon you, my dear,
The sleep of seven slumbers upon you, my dear.

Sleep, oh sleep in the quiet of quietness,
Sleep, oh sleep in the way of guidance,
Sleep, oh sleep in the love of all loving.


A friend of my mother compiled and sent me a programme of classical music to feature every aspect of her character and life. This is how he and his friends commemorate people, and when his partner died, they just played the list of music (with commentary) at his funeral. (I was amazed how well he knew her). He then sent me another card just before the funeral with the above blessing on it!

Keep strong, but don't be afraid to be weak! Let other people carry what burden they can for you - and they will. Above all, in the busyness, allow yourself some space and time.

I am thinking of you.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Snuffy
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:34 AM

Sorry to hear about your loss, Morty.

Someone mentioned earlier Ewan McColl's 'Joy of Living'. This sums up how Ewan felt about dying, and from what you've told us about your fella, I guess he'd feel the same.

Unfortunately the version in the DT is not a very good transcription - here's my "corrections" from memory.

Wassail! V

Subject: Lyr Add: JOY OF LIVING (Ewan MacColl)
From: Snuffy
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:47 AM

Sorry about that - here it is.

JOY OF LIVING
(Ewan MacColl)

Farewell you northern hills, you mountains all goodbye
Moorland and stony ridges, crags and peaks goodbye
Glyder Fach farewell, Coolbeg Scafell, cloud bearing Suilven
Sun warmed rock and the cold of Bleaklow's frozen sea
The snow and the wind and the rain of hills and mountains
Days in the sun and the tempered winds and the air like wine
And you drink and you drink till you're drunk
On the joy of living

Farewell to you my love, my time is almost done
Lie in my arms once more until the darkness comes
You filled all my days, held the night at bay, dearest companion
Years pass by and they come with the speed of birds in flight
Our live like the verse of a song heard in the mountains
Give me your hand and love and join your voice with mine
We'll sing of the hurt and pain
And the joy of living

Farewell to you my chicks, soon you must fly alone
Flesh of my flesh, my future life, bone of my bone
May your wings be strong, may your days be long, sure be your journey
Each of you bears inside of you the gift of love
May it bring you light and warmth and the pleasure of giving
Each of you savour each new day and the taste of its mouth
Never lose sight of the thrill
And the joy of living

Take me to some high place of heather, rock and ling
Scatter my dust and ashes, feed me to the wind
So that I will be part of all you see, the air you are breathing
I'll be part of the curlew's cry and the soaring hawk
The blue milkwort and the sundew hung with diamonds
I'll be riding the gentle wind that blows through your hair
Reminding you how we shared
In the joy of living

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: KitKat
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:01 AM

Two very appropriate songs are 'Sand & Water' by Beth Neilsen Chapman (written after the death of her husband); and 'Til We Meet Again' sung by Dolores Keane (not sure if she wrote it) on the 'Solid Ground' album.

Best wishes Pat

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 May 01 - 11:17 AM

I'm sorry, Terri.

Songs: anything from Musicman's CD, Farewell. It's a collection of Celtic Waltzes and Slow Airs. I particularly like Ye Banks and Braes. There is a listing here.

Poems: why not lyrics of an appropriate song?

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 11:40 AM

Mouldy, thanks for posting those words. Donovan does a beautiful tune to them on his Sutras CD. Terri, if you are interested, just scroll down that page for a sample audio file.

Holding you in Light and Love,

kat

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Morticia
Date: 16 May 01 - 02:37 PM

Thank you all so much, there are some great suggestions there.Jacob, I am so touched that you would write something especially for David. He would have got such a buzz from that, thank you!! I always thought this was a really special place but you have filled my heart with such gratitude and comfort, I can scarcely believe that so many wonderful people exist.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Manitas
Date: 16 May 01 - 03:31 PM

Here's a link to a William Barnes poem http://dorsetshire.com/barnes/index.html

It's in heavy dialect so it might not be appropriate.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: GUEST,Noreen, travelling down the M1
Date: 23 May 01 - 09:22 AM

Refresh, for positive thoughts for all at the funeral tomorrow (11am Thursday).

Noreen

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:05 AM

My thoughts are with you already
Patrish

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:16 AM

That would be about 4am Mudcat time, for those of us wishing to help out with energy, etc. at that time. 2am, here in the Rockies...I'll make a late night of it.:-)

Noreen, thanks. I am so glad that you, Micca, and everyone else will be there for Terri and passing on those hugs and snog from all of us.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 May 01 - 12:21 PM

Setting my hug-radar for tomorrow am....

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Morticia
Date: 23 May 01 - 03:05 PM

Thank you, guys, once again I'm choked with emotion at how caring a community you are ( witness Noreen,whom I met through Mudcat, coming all the way down from North England to be with me tomorrow). I also know that there will lots of 'invisible' others who will be there alongside me too. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 May 01 - 03:22 PM

Terri, I sent a few Spaw hugs your way last night in Radio chat, deliverable by Micca and Noreen. Make sure you get them........You are, as always, in my thoughts.

Pat

Subject: Lyr Add: WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN
From: GUEST,The Dane
Date: 23 May 01 - 05:19 PM

I'm very sorry about your loss

A song I could recommend is WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN
I guess you already know it, but here it is anyway:

I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw the hearse come rolling
For to take my love away

May the circle be unbroken
By and by, lord, by and by
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, lord, in the sky

Well I told the undertaker
Undertaker, please drive slow
For the body, you are hauling, lord
I hate to see him go

Well I followed close behind him
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid him in the grave


My deepest condolences

Jacob

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Helen
Date: 23 May 01 - 07:20 PM

Morticia, I'm one of those invisible others. You'll feel us all around you, in that unbroken circle.

Helen

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:42 PM

My time was wrong. It will be about 6am Mudcat time and so, 4am in the Rockies. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 May 01 - 04:47 AM

very sorry to hear of your sad loss,our thoughts are whith you.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 24 May 01 - 05:19 AM

Hope it goes well, and that you are able to say goodbye and to remember and celebrate his life without too much pain.

Kris

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 May 01 - 05:38 AM

I woke up at 4 am today and have been sending healing supportive thoughts. This week I've learned even more about the warm, caring person Terri (Morty) is. In the midst of her sorrow and the pressures of getting the funeral together and all, she's been sending regular emails to make sure I'm ok! My loss is minimal compared to yours, my dear, and I''ve got a candle lit this morning for you and yours!

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 24 May 01 - 05:58 AM

It's 11 am in UK now. Let's spare a moment's thought for Morty and her family and friends.
Best wishes
RtS

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 24 May 01 - 06:05 AM

Noreen is singing at the service roundabout now. She asked me to think of them. Thinking good things for Terri, family and friends gathered

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: alison
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:44 AM

thinking of you all

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Peg
Date: 24 May 01 - 10:24 AM

I am so sorry for your loss. To lose someone suddenly, especially a relatively young person, is so shocking and painful. I am thinking of you and yours today.

I lost two young friends; one was murdered several years ago; another died in a sudden car accident this past January.

I read a poem at his funeral in New York, and sang at a memorial service we had for him in Boston.

The poem:

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 gentle autumn rain,
I am the sun on ripened grain
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the soft uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the stars that shine at night.
Oh, do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

The song I sang is also of unknown origin to me; I have heard several versions and crafted my own:

Spirit of the Wind, carry me.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home to myself.

Spirit of the Earth, mother of birth
Spirit of the Sky, eagle flying high
Spirit of the Wind, carry me.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home to myself.

Spirit of the Dawn, help us be reborn
Spirit of the Night, give us clear sight,
Spirit of the Wind, carry me.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home to myself.

Spirit of the Flame, whisper my name,
Spirit of the Sea, help me to be free,
Spirit of the Wind, carry me.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home.
Spirit of the Wind, carry me home to myself.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 May 01 - 04:59 PM

Well, it went as well as these things do.... Thank you for the kind thoughts, Micca, Noreen and I really appreciated them, as we were still stuck in traffic in London (Earl's Court to be precise) at 10.15am, some 25 - 30 miles away, having already been in the car for 2 hours..... One desperate phone call to say we were going to be late, one Lead footed Lizzie on the accelerator (bet you never thought that Escort Estates could do over a ton..... they can!!!) and we got there with 15 mins to spare, only to find that I'd left my hymn book at home and couldn't remember the words to a song I've been singing for 30 years!! We cobbled together three verses, I don't think anyone noticed....

The service itself was simple and moving, totally right, and I daresay Morty will post more later....

I was honoured to be asked to sing, and to be there. Thank you Morty.

Liz

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 01 - 06:18 PM

Thank you, LtS for letting us know how it was. Sorry for the traffic and all. I think it is wonderful that you all could be there for her and that you and Noreen sang for it and I am sure you both did a beautiful job.

Love you, Mortee,

kat

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Peg
Date: 24 May 01 - 11:05 PM

here's wishing Morticia strength and courage to face the days ahead; and thanks to her dear friends for being by her side...

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: YOR
Date: 25 May 01 - 12:13 AM

A great funeral song (if there is such a thing).

"Goodbye My Friend" Karla Bonoff

Lyrics available at www.bryndle.com

Roy

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Morticia
Date: 25 May 01 - 07:54 AM

Well, my dear friends, it is over and we got through it with dignity.I honestly felt your presence at the service, I could almost see you, a host of kind, amazing people willing me on whilst I sang for David for the last time.Noreen did a beautiful job of Ae Fond Kiss,( Susan's suggestion) his nephew read the Emerson piece contributed by Mrs Duck, Gomez and I did Caledonia ( thank you Spot) and Liz sang Amazing Grace which several people suggested.

Fiona got up and spoke about her dad in as honest,funny and courageous a fashion as someone many years older might not have managed.Everyone was moved to tears by the love and grief in her voice and on her face. He would have been so proud of both his children.I'm proud enough for both of us.

On a lighter note, we had such a good time at the wake bit afterwards that the landlord came over several times to ask us to be a bit quieter.So we took our songs, and memories and laughter back to my house and had a thoroughly proper Mudcat send-off for him. He would have liked that a lot.

I know I have said this before, but I'm not worried about repeating myself in this case. You are a wonderful bunch of people.Your love, support and suggestions got me through the worst two weeks of my life and I can never thank you enough.To quote the song I sang yesterday " I'm steady thinking my way is clear"....I am, we are and we will be fine.Thank you all.

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 May 01 - 08:28 AM

Lemme know if you're ever interested in "Who Dies" eh...

;-0

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: GUEST,CUxbridge
Date: 26 May 01 - 06:46 AM

Dear Morticia,

From a perfect stranger. Thank-you for your courage to come to your friends for help and to bring your online community to a crowning place of friendship. Death is a most fascinating subject to me as I see it is to you and your story teaches to always "Be Prepared" as the GirlGuides say. Though, how can one be prepared? I lost a friend to cancer this spring and wished to sing at the funeral. The family was not prepared to accept this gift. Letting go. Perhaps that's the preparation. It all goes. It all goes...

So I choose this place of insertion into your online singing community. God Bless. Or shall I say, May the Pilot watch over thee so as not to offend any one...

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 01 - 10:41 PM

Dear Mudcatters,

Please keep Morticia and her family in your thoughts, prayers, meditations, etc. This is still a tough go for her and them.

Mortee, my dear one, you are in my thoughts and in my heart always. I know it is hard right now. Let us help you some more, for it is not over with the ceremony and the wake. We understand that it is still going on for you who are stil living and that it must be very difficult.

Let our presence of love and concern not waver, but hold steady for you and your family for as long as you need.

In love and Peace Profound,

kat

Subject: RE: Music and Poems for a Funeral
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 19 Jul 12 - 11:17 PM

Re. my version of "Requiem" try this link:

Uncle Jaque's Bandmix Page

Third track from the top.

The first track "Flanders Fields" is a tune I composed for the famous WW-I poem of that title, and played at one of our American Legion Armistice Day ceremonies. I'd be interested in what you think of these tunes, and I'd like to hear what they sound like if one of you who really knows what you're doing (as most of you do) does them. I'd like to hear "Flanders Fields" on the Highland Pipes, for instance... if any Piper out there considers if worthy of an attempt that is.