Funeral Song




Inspired by Devin’s great posts of poetry at “My Favorite Monsters,” I decided to try something rather poetic in this post.

How in the world does one come up with their funeral song beforehand? Would it be traditional such as “Amazing Grace,” or something epic like “I Did It My Way?” I was thinking about that recently when I recalled a beautiful funeral I attended where they played a song written and sang by the man who passed away. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house because the song he wrote was from his heart and his soul. It encapsulated his entire life in that one song. There really was no need to say anymore.

Do you have a song like that one? One song that encompasses all of your being—your entire life—your message to others upon passing? One that could be the only thing said at your funeral?

There’s some songs like “Refugee” by Tom Petty and “Gypsy” by Fleetwood Mac that have elements of me, and one that is very much me is “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin. Still, only one song seems to have both the most beautiful lyrics I’ve ever read and also poignantly showing how I feel about life and living and my advice. That song is “Drive” by Incubus. (Now, be sure and leave a comment to tell me what your song is, I would love to hear them):

“Drive” by Incubus

Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I can't help but ask myself how much I let the fear
Take the wheel and steer
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive?
It's driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately I'm beginning to find that
When I drive myself my light is found

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there

Would you choose water over wine
Hold the wheel and drive

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there

Comments

  1. Is that Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) near Big Sur?

    Looks awful familiar to me.

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  2. Many trips on it to and from San Francisco, visits to Hearst Castle and the road races in Monterey. Fun on a street bike - scary too. :)

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  3. I love that road--to me, that song "life is a highway" suits it.

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  4. Autumnforest-thanks so much-I was so glad I could actually inspire someone instead of them inspiring me!! I thought send in the clowns by Judy Collins for me haha!! BTW the article (rough draft) that you inspired me to do posted under april 22 -I didnt realize drafts posts did this-i thought i lost the whole post-and I was working on it since i answered your comment and Mike and Julies-just got done about 15 mins ago-thats how lousy a typist I am :-)

    Thanks again for your hard work with your blog-your blog is one of the best around and it ticks me off that some think (as in the case of all paranormal) that that puts it out of the running-I say BS-great work!! and great sentiments!! I will have to check out the incubus song-I always loved so much music its hard for me to say-maybe "My Immortal" by -o man forgot their name-lead singer is a very pretty dark haired woman-my memory is shot! all the best to you as always!!

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  5. Good picture. I used to go to funerals more, but then thru the years my motto became if i haven't saw or talked to them in a year, then i am just a hypocrite if i go. LOL So i don't go to many funerals. LOL I am so glad your blog is not boring. There are few that i read that aren't. Song that applies to me, High On A Mountain by Vince Gill and i love the song, I Hope You Dance. I love music, i have those little players on almost all my blogs. I am always changeing the music on them. I like so many different kinds of music. Well i know when i die that i will be cremated and my ashes thrown into the wind. That's the way my life has been, always on the go, love the outdoors, so it is appropriate to go back into the wind. I do like imaginative funerals also.

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  6. I too recognized that bridge in the photo.
    I like that Incubus song! I've never really thought about a funeral song. I've always said that I don't want a funeral. Is that weird?

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  7. Since I'm sort of the local cemetery expert, I've gone to so many cemeteries with my hunting partner (who is an artist too) and we both find art and beauty in them but it brings up the conversation every time... so what kind of headstone do you want? I realized...not for me! I like the idea that great great grandkids could go see my stone, but that's not me. I don't think I'd even want my son visiting a stone with my name on it. I said--organs donated, body cremated. Half the ashes go to my son who will mix them with my husband's ashes and throw them somewhere or keep them, the other half will go into urn necklaces for people I was really close to and they will dispose of them the way they think is appropriate for our time together or meaningful and then if you want they can wear me around their neck. I'm pretty cool with that. I'd personally like the viking funeral--riding a burning boat, but there's probably ordinances against that... hee hee

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  8. My hubby and I want to take that drive someday. I love the ocean, so why do I live in AZ, lol? Nice poem and love the picture.

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  9. Julie;
    In the big 80s, hubby and I lived in Redondo Beach. We got a new camaro with a T-top and used to drive it up the coast. Wow! That was awesome and it even helped to tease my already big 80s hair even more! It's a drive that should be on a must-do list. Next time I do it, I'm planning out haunted and cemetery stops along the way too. Yeah, why are we in AZ???? Why is anyone here??? Yikes!

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  10. Beautiful song!!!!! what a lovely melody! One of my favorites by them."life is a highway" I love that... Thanks for your effort and time.

    alice

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