Music for your memorial

[Peaches]

So as to not further hijack a different thread...

Have you thought about, or picked out, music to be played at your memorial/funeral?

I've been making note of songs since I was in 9th or 10th grade, and I'm up to 6.


I'll Fly Away (Allison Kraus)--because I love the idea of "celebrating" death as a release, and a freedom
Say Hallelujah (Tracy Chapman)--for the same reasons as above
Oblivion, and Soledad (written by Piazzolla, chosen version performed by Quintango)--I love the melancholy of them
Canon in D (Pachelbel--sp?)--I was born to this piece of music, it was played at my wedding, and is generally a very special piece of music for me. I want it played one last time, at a very special time.
Intermezzo-Adagio, from Tocatta, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 (by J.S. Bach--haven't picked out what version yet, but it's got to be a phenomenal organ performance)--this is the song that started it all. It's the first one I picked out for the occasion when I was in high school. I love the dignity, and solemnity, and melancholy of it. And, it's Bach, and it's beautiful.

[DWise1]

Our son was proud of the Irish quarter of his heritage (1/2 Mexican, 7/32 Irish, 1/4 Scottish, 1/32 German), so we played Irish music and a singer sang "Danny Boy". It's been a while since I've heard it, but I probably will still have to leave the room when it's played.

I'll probably have a piper at mine.

Alba gu brath.

PS
The games are usually held here on Memorial Day weekend. One year at the closing ceremony a piper played "Going Home", which was rather moving. Dvorak used it in the Largo of his New World Symphony.

[Angelo]

Another One Bites the Dust-Queen

[Peaches]

I just remembered another one...

Now Comes the Gentiles' Saviour (J.S. Bach, transcribed by Busoni, no idea of a version yet)--I can't actually remember the original German name. I just love this piece, and it's so...dignified...tranquil...and joyful and celbratory in an odd way.

[Angelo]

Don't Fear the Reaper- Blue Oyster Cult

[Pacion]

Wow Peach! For me, I think Celia Cruz's La Vida es un Carnival is likely to be 'the one'. ;)

This thread also reminded about this story I recently read. It got me thinking that the guy had a point. How lovely it would be to be, if it were possible, to attend YOUR service.


Why I will be at my own wake

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/inline_dashed_line.gif


When you are told you have just months to live what do you do? Andy Fitchett, 56, decided to organise his own wake and is hosting it.

I'm a lucky man and have had a lucky life. Many people don't get a chance to say goodbye to people when they die but I have.
Others never live a life as long and happy as mine when they pass away. Take a 12-year-old killed in a car crash, they don't get a chance to live their life or say goodbye.

When I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was planning a new life in Majorca. I'd bought two bars and was getting everything ready.

No emotion
A week after returning to the UK from a trip over there my chest started hurting and I was rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack.
After eight-days of tests they told me I had a tumour on my lung and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I had six months to live.
For days I was numb, I couldn't tell you what I felt because I felt no emotion at all. Then I realised I had two choices, I could sit in a corner and wait to die or I could get my life in order and enjoy what time I had left.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifI can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

My priority was my two grown-up daughters, they were devastated when I told them. Things were made harder by the fact my wife - their mother - died 10 years ago of liver failure.

I wanted to make it as easy for them as I could, so I've planned everything down to a list of people to call when I die and have paid for my funeral.
Sorting all my stuff out made me start to think about all the people who had come into my life and touched it. You meet loads of people, make lots of friends but sometimes you don't stay in touch, despite having the best of intentions.

I realised I wanted to thank them all for being part of my life and being my friend, that's why I decided to organise and go to my own wake. The next day I also want to ring up those who don't turn up and ask why, as a joke.

Strength
I do consider myself lucky and have had a hell of a life compared to some other people. My wake is not about mourning my loss, it is about celebrating that life. I have a chance to do that and others don't.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifI don't see myself as brave, people die everyday - I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it

My wake is on 17 March, I have been given until May to live. It will be at Swindon Town Football Club. I have always been a supporter so it seemed a fitting place to hold it. I'm selling tickets and will give the money to charity.
There's a disco and a charity auction, but the rest of the evening will be off-the-cuff. I just want it to be a happy night.

I will stand up and say a few words during the evening and I know that's when the emotion will really kick in. I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

People's reaction to what I am doing has been superb. My daughters say they have taken strength from my attitude. Someone I met at the football club the other day asked me if I was "the Andy". When I said yes he showed me his diary, in big letters he had written "inspirational man" under 17 March. He wanted eight tickets for the wake, which made me happy. I find it all a bit baffling and don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday. I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it. I just want to say thank you.

[chachachacat]

The one piece of music I know I want to be played at my memorial service is "Catherine _____" by Bill Maraschiello. It's a beautiful song, and , yes, it was written for me.

[Zhena]

This thread also reminded about this story I recently read. It got me thinking that the guy had a point. How lovely it would be to be, if it were possible, to attend YOUR service.
A couple of years ago, my uncle learned he had only a short time to live. His birthday was coming up within a month of hearing the news, so my father (his brother) pulled together a special birthday party. We had it at my house because of size and location. No speeches, no presentations, just an opportunity for people to be together, coming from as far away as England. Some of the guests brought old photo albums and other memorabilia. He was still relatively mobile and mentally sharp and enjoyed the day very much. He spent most of it talking to his siblings (3 sisters and 2 brothers). Before everyone left that day, we gathered on the front porch for a photo, and DH immediately printed copies for people to take with them (I keep a copy at work where I can see it every day). When my uncle died a couple of months later, my aunt chose not to have a memorial service, because the family had made such efforts to come together while he was still alive. It was good ...

[MacMoto]

For my cremation, I'm tempted to specify Salsa Caliente Del Japon by Orquesta De La Luz :roll:.

[fascination]

never able to narrow it down...but dh knows and so do the kids...course most any waltz

[Spitfire]

Hmmm, maybe the Kinks Don't Forget To Dance.

[Tori]

Run by Snow Patrol
Crystal Ship by The Doors

Lots more... for some strange reason. I just have to think for awhile.

[goldiebox]

Drink With Me from Les Miserables

Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew
Here's to pretty girls who went to our heads.
Here's to witty girls who went to out beds.
Here's to them and here's to you!
...
Drink with me to days gone by
To the life that used to be
At the shrine of friendship, never say die
Let the wine of friendship never run dry
Here's to you and here's to me

[Joe]

Hmmm, maybe the Kinks Don't Forget To Dance.
How about Come Dancing? :)

[samina]

i love your picks, peach! beautiful music...

am not in the least interesting in imagining any aspect of my funeral at this point... when i'm ready to cross over, sure... but not today... personally, am keeping my eyes firmly fixed on what music to play while i'm alive...

[Sabor]

'baby got back' by SirMixAlot..

but i dont think it'll be allowed :(

[bordertangoman]

Mars by Gustav Holst

accompanied by howling 'Sto-vo-kor' the Klingon death cry

[samina]

'baby got back' by SirMixAlot..



just love that song... <heh>

[samina]

accompanied by howling 'Sto-vo-kor' the Klingon death cry

:tongue:

[Indiana_Jay]

Have you thought about, or picked out, music to be played at your memorial/funeral?

Funerals are for the living, not for the dead. Therefore, rather than my favorite music, the music should be anything that helps those in attendance celebrate that I've gone home to be with my Lord, rather than mourn that I no longer inhabit my earthly body!

[Genesius Redux]

"Only the Good Die Young," by Billy Joel.

"Adios, Nonino," by Astor Piazzola.

The finale to "Don Giovanni" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

"Memory" from Cats. (j/k)

"Being Alive" from Jekyll and Hyde.

"Just a Gigolo" by Louis Prima.

"Come Sunday" by Duke Ellington.

"Great Gig in the Sky" by Pink Floyd.

[bordertangoman]

:tongue:


:twisted: as I couldn't find a klingon smiley

[Peaches]

"Just a Gigolo" by Louis Prima.:eyebrow: What with your being a college professor an' all...I don't think I want to know. Non sequitur and whatnot. ;-)

[bordertangoman]

'Funeral for a friend' by Elton John

[Genesius Redux]

:eyebrow: What with your being a college professor an' all...I don't think I want to know. Non sequitur and whatnot. ;-)

I think that is most unlikely, since I am now literally old enough to be their actual daddy....

[Peaches]

Oh. That's got to be...um...dampening.

[Genesius Redux]

Tell me about it. I hate getting older....

[Peaches]

That reminds me of DH, who says that a certain well-known gentlemen's magazine just isn't nearly as interesting, given the age gap between him and most of the women.

Luckily, it has great articles.

[Genesius Redux]

Well, I've just never seen the point of looking at pictures instead of touching and stuff. It would just be depressing.

But yeah, those articles rock. Much better than the New Yorker or Harper's.

[samina]

Well, I've just never seen the point of looking at pictures instead of touching and stuff. It would just be depressing.

But yeah, those articles rock. Much better than the New Yorker or Harper's.

shoot, better than any women's mags i can think of... men's mags are so much more interesting, IMO...

[Peaches]

shoot, better than any women's mags i can think of... men's mags are so much more interesting, IMO...
Depends on the men's mag, IME.

I don't care about DH getting the bunny mag (it's his b-day gift from me every year, in fact), but I'd have some serious issues if he got...FHM, I think? One of them is just absolutely disgusting in it's attitude towards women.

[samina]

well, frankly, am lately very out of touch with the mag culture... it's been awhile since i picked anything up. used to read vanity fair every month, but haven't even done that for qutie some time...

no mags. no newspaper. no tv... (plenty of time & energy, now, for dancing & training! ;))

[Peaches]

Love mags.

We get the bunny mag, Cooking Light (soon), Adirondack Life, and Bust. Bust is awesome. It's a very feminist magazine. I feel like I'm missing one, but I can't figure out what.

DH loves women's mags for the fasion bits. Strange man, lol.

[Genesius Redux]

I'd have some serious issues if he got...FHM, I think? One of them is just absolutely disgusting in it's attitude towards women.

FHM?

Okay, I'm busted. I'm such a loser I don't even recognize the acronym. And I try so hard to seem like the man-about-town type....

[Peaches]

For Him Magazine. If it's the one I'm thinking of (and I believe it is) it's utter trash. I'd much prefer to see tha bunny mag around the house, or even the "top floor condo" one.

[Genesius Redux]

I've never even heard of it, lol. OMG, you're totally not ever gonna dance Argentine with me now that I've admitted that I'm decrepit and completely out of touch with men's mags and stuff.

You don't even wanna know what I did instead of watching the Superbowl! Geez, I feel like such a girl right now!

[Peaches]

I've never even heard of it, lol. OMG, you're totally not ever gonna dance Argentine with me now that I've admitted that I'm decrepit and completely out of touch with men's mags and stuff.No no. You've got it all wrong. That you haven't heard of FHM is a point in your favor. Definitely in your favor. (And tell me that you wear glasses and I'm yours for the entire night. *swoon*)

You don't even wanna know what I did instead of watching the Superbowl! Geez, I feel like such a girl right now!What? Waxed your bikini line? Painted your nails? Plucked your eyebrows? What can be so girlie?

[samina]

I'

You don't even wanna know what I did instead of watching the Superbowl! Geez, I feel like such a girl right now!

we gotta know now, GR... come on spill... were you getting a facial or somethin'?
;)

[Genesius Redux]

No no. You've got it all wrong. That you haven't heard of FHM is a point in your favor. Definitely in your favor. (And tell me that you wear glasses and I'm yours for the entire night. *swoon*)

Contacts, sorry. I'm an actor.

What? Waxed your bikini line? Painted your nails? Plucked your eyebrows? What can be so girlie?

Painted my nails, lol, you wish.

No, I watched Pride and Prejudice. All six hours. And now I'm waiting for Samina to mock me.

[samina]

No, I watched Pride and Prejudice. All six hours. And now I'm waiting for Samina to mock me.

MOCK you... are you KIDDING... am grabbing my slippers, jammies, and readying to drive your way for a film-watching marathon... throw your branagh/austen/willieS best at me, man!

<caveat: i'm a snuggler when it comes to movie-watching...>:cool:

[Peaches]

Contacts, sorry. I'm an actor.
That counts. It means you've got to use something, and you've got to take your contacts out sometime.

Painted my nails, lol, you wish.What? All my theater guy friends painted their nails. Guys with painted nails are hot. (Reminds me of the time DH painted his nails black for a piano recital. And he wears glasses. *swoon big time*)

No, I watched Pride and Prejudice. All six hours. And now I'm waiting for Samina to mock me.BBC version? I love that. Very cool.

[Peaches]

MOCK you... are you KIDDING... am grabbing my slippers, jammies, and readying to drive your way for a film-watching marathon... throw your branagh/austen/willieS best at me, man!

<caveat: i'm a snuggler when it comes to movie-watching...>:cool:Hussy.

[Genesius Redux]

MOCK you... are you KIDDING... am grabbing my slippers, jammies, and readying to drive your way for a film-watching marathon... throw your branagh/austen/willieS best at me, man!

<caveat: i'm a snuggler when it comes to movie-watching...>:cool:

And the caveat is supposed to dissuade me?

[samina]

Hussy.

the truth will out...:cool:

[Genesius Redux]

BBC version? I love that. Very cool.

A&E, with Jennifer ("I Wanna Have Her Baby") Ehle and Colin Firth.

[Peaches]

A&E, with Jennifer ("I Wanna Have Her Baby") Ehle and Colin Firth.

Wait. I thought it was Cate ("I Wanna Have Her Baby") Blanchette for you.

I don't want kids at all, but for Colin Firth, I'd have to give that a serious second thought.

Same move, roughly the same purpose for liking it...just a different focus, lol.

[Joe]

I get the bunny mag, and sometimes I don't even have time to flip through the pictures, much less the articles.

[Genesius Redux]

Wait. I thought it was Cate ("I Wanna Have Her Baby") Blanchette for you.

I don't want kids at all, but for Colin Firth, I'd have to give that a serious second thought.

Same move, roughly the same purpose for liking it...just a different focus, lol.

Hey, it's my fantasy, I can have babies with different actresses if I like. And anyway, in real life, I'm way to selfish to have children....

[Pacion]

Just read that the guy in the story below has passed away. The daughter has said that the event will go ahead and the money raised going to three charities he had wanted the money to go to.



This thread also reminded about this story I recently read. It got me thinking that the guy had a point. How lovely it would be to be, if it were possible, to attend YOUR service.


Why I will be at my own wake

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/inline_dashed_line.gif


When you are told you have just months to live what do you do? Andy Fitchett, 56, decided to organise his own wake and is hosting it.

I'm a lucky man and have had a lucky life. Many people don't get a chance to say goodbye to people when they die but I have.
Others never live a life as long and happy as mine when they pass away. Take a 12-year-old killed in a car crash, they don't get a chance to live their life or say goodbye.

When I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was planning a new life in Majorca. I'd bought two bars and was getting everything ready.

No emotion
A week after returning to the UK from a trip over there my chest started hurting and I was rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack.
After eight-days of tests they told me I had a tumour on my lung and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I had six months to live.
For days I was numb, I couldn't tell you what I felt because I felt no emotion at all. Then I realised I had two choices, I could sit in a corner and wait to die or I could get my life in order and enjoy what time I had left.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifI can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

My priority was my two grown-up daughters, they were devastated when I told them. Things were made harder by the fact my wife - their mother - died 10 years ago of liver failure.

I wanted to make it as easy for them as I could, so I've planned everything down to a list of people to call when I die and have paid for my funeral.
Sorting all my stuff out made me start to think about all the people who had come into my life and touched it. You meet loads of people, make lots of friends but sometimes you don't stay in touch, despite having the best of intentions.

I realised I wanted to thank them all for being part of my life and being my friend, that's why I decided to organise and go to my own wake. The next day I also want to ring up those who don't turn up and ask why, as a joke.

Strength
I do consider myself lucky and have had a hell of a life compared to some other people. My wake is not about mourning my loss, it is about celebrating that life. I have a chance to do that and others don't.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifI don't see myself as brave, people die everyday - I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it

My wake is on 17 March, I have been given until May to live. It will be at Swindon Town Football Club. I have always been a supporter so it seemed a fitting place to hold it. I'm selling tickets and will give the money to charity.
There's a disco and a charity auction, but the rest of the evening will be off-the-cuff. I just want it to be a happy night.

I will stand up and say a few words during the evening and I know that's when the emotion will really kick in. I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.

People's reaction to what I am doing has been superb. My daughters say they have taken strength from my attitude. Someone I met at the football club the other day asked me if I was "the Andy". When I said yes he showed me his diary, in big letters he had written "inspirational man" under 17 March. He wanted eight tickets for the wake, which made me happy. I find it all a bit baffling and don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday. I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it. I just want to say thank you.

[Medira]

Just read that the guy in the story below has passed away. The daughter has said that the event will go ahead and the money raised going to three charities he had wanted the money to go to.

That's so sad... I'm glad that his wishes are being carried out though.


And, to answer the original question: Mountain Dance by Dave Grusin.