the funeral classics (Page 1 of 2)

Always look on the bright side...........Monty Python.........easy to play too.

You're scaring me

PEACE IN THE VALLEY - Elvis Presley

I have never been to a funeral that didn't play 'go rest high on that mountain' by vince gill....

All You Need is Love

Already thanks to all my beloved (everyone) chordians.
Charlotte, remarkable, it is on the list too, also the song John Prines' "Please Don't Bury Me", like Southpaw wrote, together with "When The Saints Go Marching In." Actually, I saw it with my own eyes, sitting very lazy somewhere in New Orleans on a balcony. One hour later I had the honour to   see Hillary Clinton (1992, September) followed by a lot of "jazz bands", I was witness of the BIG ELECTION SHOW. THAT: you won't find in Europe. The funeral, Afro-American with the closest family dancing, it is really strange. I don't know nothing about this culture, but I start to understand more and more thanks to you all. ELECTION TIME, throwing with mud, trying to look if a candidate has smoked a joint, this is probably the most difficult thing to understand. Especially the elections, and the Florida connection, where G.W's brother should give a big, big statue to his brother. I don't have a clue (maybe a little) how the elections are in the USA. There is a council who votes, and the winner takes it all, about that council or the "donations".
go rest high on that mountain' by vince gill is unknown to me.
AMAZING GRACE, is this song on a lot of funerals, or when a police officer dies, I don't know, except when watching a movie. I once had all papers AND a place to start as MD in South-Africa, with to opportunity to start where ever I wanted later, because it is part of the British Commonwealth. In between 2 trips, I met that nurse, killing me by being EGOCENTRIC, she even hated my daughter, afrauid that I would neglect her.
So to answer on your posts, I am more self assured, more "black" humour, Chordie, DVD, and my days are passing very fast. I JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO MY BODY, but sometimes there is no possibility to listen.

amazing grace is probably the most well known hymn of all time, I guess thats why a lot of people have it at funerals. 'Go rest high' is a country song which was extremely popular during the nineties (in america anyway), the music can be bought at christian bookstores in convenient packaging because its so commonly used in funerals.... 'roun here anyhow...

'go rest high
on that mountain
son you're work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Look for the father and the son'

All You Need is Love

I have thought of this.  I would like my funeral to pass along to the attendees, presumably friends in mourning rather than enemies celebrating, some songs that sum up the way I feel about things.

"Hard Working Pilgrim" - a bluegrass standard, but I don't know who first performed it or wrote it
"Holding up the Ladder" - another bluegrass standard for which I also lack knowledge
"Right on Time" by Randy Travis (I'm not sure who wrote it, Randy Travis performed the version I heard)
"Peace in the Valley" - by everybody from Elvis to Johnny Cash to Randy Travis to ... - anyway it's a possibility

A friend wrote a good song called "Remember the Nail" that's a good one.  It may not be appropriate to a funeral, but is surely appropriate to an evangelistic event.  I would like my funeral to be an evangelistic event. 

Out of left field:
"And When I Die" by Blood, Sweat, and Tears - I'm sure it'll tick off some folks, but it's a realistic look at life and it's end "I'd swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no Hell."  I know there's a heaven, but the irony isn't lost on me.

I am willing to wait for a long time to see whether my decisions change. 

- Zurf

Funerals here on the Emerald our Like big parties.

We have the old fashioned tradition of waking the dead. Some of these where the  Best Gatherings i ever attended.  Some people here love funerals so much so we have named them
"Scut The Coffin" I was at one some time ago and as the coffin slowely moved away they played "Smoke Gets in your Eyes" the elderly deceased party piece . I personally was nearly scraped off the floor laughing. God i nearly busted my gut that day.
Some Churches refuse to allow music other then hymns.
My oldest brother wants a New Orleans type funeral. with all the brass and stuff.
My young Sisters funeral Mass was full of Jim croce, Joan Baez, bette Midler.

I also attended a funeral recently. While waiting for the hearse to arrive, i was talking to the grave digger.  I was asking him was he ever short one when stock takng?    He pointed out a beautiful New big headstone recently installed.  On the front it says.
I have no problem dying, i just dont want to be there! when it happens!  Now i wouldnt mind sharing my journey with the owner of that grave!.

These are just 2 of my chosen pieces for my  Funeral Mass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZLdGUfJsC0

Iris Dement. When My Morning comes around.

Slán { well not just yet }

Old Doll.

In Hard Working Pilgrim, it's a song about a fellow who passes on and is in front of the Lord basically saying, I'm sure I've messed up from time to time, but I've been a true believer and a hard working pilgrim all the way. 

"Don't know how to preach a sermon
'nary a way to make a start
But I'm a God-fearing Christian
Trying best to do my part."   
Going from memory, probably messed it up some, but that's the way with Bluegrass.  Get close and folks'll let it slide.

In Holding up the Ladder, he's talking about a ladder to heaven held up by angels.  He climbs it all his life, and when he reaches the top he's dead but the angels are rejoicing at having another believer come home.  It sums up the idea of being a Christian as a journey rather than a single event or a defining title. 

I like the idea of both of those songs.  Unfortunately for this being a guitar site, the versions I know of both of those songs are a capella harmonized versions.

- Zurf

topdown,
   My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Being a father of 2, I just couldn't imagine how I could go on if something were to happen to one of them. I admire you. Even though Chris was dealt a bad hand with his illness I'm sure you made everyday of his life a blast. That was some very touching stuff with Metallica. I have a whole new respect for them.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Topdown - I'm sure everyone reading that post would join in sending their condolences.  If they could spell it!  In the midst of life...

Cheers