Memories of absent friends...

[Grez]

Just reading the Leonard Skinner thread and Barry's post about "Freebird" took me back to my own brother's funeral (he died when he was 33) and how "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac reminds me of that (he had asked for it to be played at the end, and there wasn't a dry eye in the crematorium).

Some people think of talking about their own funeral as being morbid, and I don't want to offend anyone, so please accept my apologies if you think this is in bad taste. However, if you feel you'd like to join in ton this one, what would you like played at the end of your funeral?

For me, it's got to be Fairport Convention - "Meet on the Ledge" (the version from the "Farewell, Farewell" Live album, 1979).




We used to say that come the day
We'd all be making songs
Or finding better words
These ideas never lasted long

The way is up. Along the road
The air is growing thin
Too many friends who tried-
Blown off this mountain by the wind

Meet on the ledge, we're gonna meet on the ledge
When my time is up I'm gonna see all my friends
Meet on the ledge, we're gonna meet on the ledge
If you really mean it, it all comes round again.

And now I see that I'm all alone
And it's the only way to be.
You'll have your chance again
Then you can do the work for me.

[Beechwoods]

I think it'd have to be Just A Season by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy as performed by The Byrds on their Untitled LP, from 1970:


If all my days was hills to climb and circles without reason
If all I was was passing time, my life was just a season

Dares and dreams and silly schemes and fillies running freely
I was young and no song was sung that didn't sound appealing
I'd have my fun with a shy girl and maybe hop a train
And I'd look back at her standing in the rain
Dirty hands and root beer stands and money like a river
Making deals to see how it feels to get more than you're giving
I'd have my fun with a gamblin man and bluff him with my face
And it's drinks for everybody in the place

If all my days was hills to climb and circles without reason
If all I was was passing time my life was just a season
If all my days was hills to climb and circles without reason
If all I was was passing time my life was just a season

Shouting crowds and mummer's shrouds and people going crazy
Always said what was in their heads it surely was amazing
I had my fun in the bull ring and never got a scar
It really wasn't hard to be a star

If all my days was hills to climb and circles without reason
If all I was was passing time my life was just a season

[Alex_UK]

I think I mentioned this very topic once, and never quite dared to start the thread, so well done Grez. I always joked it would be Build a Fire by The KLF... :lol: I've also warned my wife that if it's Beautiful by James Blunt I will haunt her for all eternity...

Sadly, I've chosen the music for a couple of people I've lost, based on knowing them and their tastes rather well. For my nearly-dad (long story) it was What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and for a close friend, Barber's Adagio for Strings (the version from the Platoon soundtrack) - now that is a tear-jerker...

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've often thought of starting a thread like this, but had the same misgivings I guess.

I attended the funeral of my best friend a few years ago & his brother chose

Alan Parsons - 'Old & Wise'

Adam was neither old, nor wise, but he certainly was always someone who would make you smile when you mentioned that he was a friend, as the lyrics allude to. And he had plenty of people who could say that of him.
A great bloke.

As far as my eyes can see
There are shadows approaching me
And to those I left behind
I wanted you to know
You’ve always shared my deepest thoughts
You follow where I go

And oh when I’m old and wise
Bitter words mean little to me
Autumn winds will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they asked me if I knew you
I’d smile and say you were a friend of mine
And the sadness would be lifted from my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wise

As far as my eyes can see
There are shadows surrounding me
And to those I leave behind
I want you all to know
You’ve always shared my darkest hours
I’ll miss you when I go

And oh, when I’m old and wise
Heavy words that tossed and blew me
Like autumn winds that will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they ask you if you knew me
Remember that you were a frined of mine
As the final curtain falls before my eyes
Oh when I’m old and wise

As far as my eyes can see


For myself, I've always fancied another Fleetwood Mac track - 'Man of the World'

Shall I tell you about my life
They say I'm a man of the world
I've flown across every tide
And I've seen lots of pretty girls

I guess I've got everything I need
I wouldn't ask for more
And there's no one I'd rather be
But I just wish that I'd never been born

And I need a good woman
to make me feel like a good man should
I don't say I'm a good man
Oh, but I would be if I could

I could tell you about my life
And keep you amused I'm sure
About all the times I've cried
And how I don't want to be sad anymore
And how I wish I was in love


......but to me, it's the saddest song ever written & I wouldn't wish to inflict that on friends or family, and I found a good woman so I'd have to choose this one which I think sums up my atttude to life rather better:

Frank Zappa - 'We Are Not Alone'


B1nfjuAfiq4

[shane]

For myself, I'd probably chose The Blue Nile's track "I Would Never":

I have walked
A thousand miles
I have worked
As fast as I can
And I have raised
A precious child
To be a man

But I would never
Turn my back
On your love

And I have gone
Up and down
Yeah I have wandered
From place to place
And I have raised my weary hand
To my face

But I would never
Turn my back
On your love

Is there anybody there who knows me?
Is there any body there who knows now?
That I will be home soon

And I would never
Turn my back
On your love

When the sun is going down
And there are colours
Against the sky
I have seen my home town
In your eyes

But I would never
Turn my back
Yeah I have learned
To face the fact
No I would never
Turn my back
On your love

Hey yeah yeah
Hey yeah yeah

I would never
Turn my back
On your love

c5xw08ytwII

(Apologies for the dreadful video that someone chose to put with it!)

followed by Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny singing "Who Knows Where The Time Goes":

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it's time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it's time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it's time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?

n2xODjbfYw8

Then round up with "Laudate Dominum" from Mozart's "Vesperae Solemnes De Confessore".

EsEnM8mGj_Y

That should have 'em weeping in the aisles...


I doubt if I'll be able to top the recent funeral of a good friend of mine, which featured the Central Orchestra of the RAF and a flypast by four Harriers. Talk about going out in style! Our sleepy little village is still recovering...

[Mothman]

For me I would want to go out to "Shadowplay" by Rory Gallagher, for no other reason than it's been my favourite track since I first heard it 30 odd years ago.

However to get them a weeping, then I guess Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever" would probably be my weapon of choice.

[Barry]

I'm not sure if I have ever considered seriously what I would want played at my funeral (or even how I wan't to be dispatched). Having attended funerals of friends who have died at a far too early age, REM's 'Everybody Hurts' is a possible candidate.

When the day is long and the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on

Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone
(Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go
(Hold on)
When you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on

'Cause everybody hurts take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts

Don't throw your hand oh, no don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much
Of this life to hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes, everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes

And everybody hurts sometimes so, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
No, no, no, no, you are not alone

IPZzWYkdS6Y

Thanks and well done Grez, you have given us something to think about. Excellent choice Shane!

[MartinT]

At my wife's funeral in 1999 I asked an opera singer friend of mine to sing 'Beim Schlafengehen' (When I Go to Sleep) by Richard Strauss. It's one of his Four Last Songs and incredibly poignant and emotional. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

I could be very happy knowing that I was bowing out to the same song.

[anthonyTD]

fo me it would probably be "i was only joking" Rod Stewart.
anthony,TD...

[John]

I have a list of songs and music
Castles Made of Sand Jimi Hendrix
From Within John Petrucci and Jordan Rudes
and Nick Cave version of Death is not the end

[Haselsh1]

'After the Ordeal' by Genesis...! There could be no other for me.