29 October 2012

Requiems

A recent survey has sought to identify the "top ten" funeral songs played at crematoria in Yorkshire. This is what they discovered, in order of popularity:-

1. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – Eric Idle.
2. Who Wants To Live Forever? – Queen.
3. Let It Be – The Beatles.
4. I've Had The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
5. You'll Never Walk Alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers.
6. Imagine – John Lennon.
7. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler.
8. Jerusalem – William Blake.
9. Bat Out Of Hell – Meat Loaf.
10. Morning Has Broken – Eleanor Farjeon/Cat Stevens

Would you pick any of the above for your funeral or have you got some other ideas? At my mother's funeral in September 2007, "Jerusalem" and "The Lord's My Shepherd" were sung at the packed remembrance service in the village church and then later, at The East Riding crematorium high on the Yorkshire Wolds, we listened to Vera Lynn singing "The White Cliffs of Dover" in recognition of Mum's wartime service with the WAAF. If I close my eyes, I can still hear her singing that song now. She had a lovely singing voice.

For my own funeral, I have requested "The Birdie Song". The clapping at the end represents the number of people I expect to attend...

11 comments:

  1. "on my own" from Les Miserables

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  2. Great song but it won't be easy for Trelawnyders and assembled bloggers to sing along to. Should we get practising now? We could call in Gareth Malone to help,

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  3. Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood
    A newer song, but it suits me perfectly.

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  4. A little USA FYI-that song is called the "Chicken Dance" in the states. Every wedding reception plays it at least once.

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  5. My mother and I had negotiated 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' by The Platters for her cremation but my dad wouldn't allow it. She adored that song. She also insisted I removed her gold fillings beforehand but of course I didn't...

    In the end Denise was supposed to have it as one of our 4 song first dance at our wedding along with 'You are so Beautiful' by Joe Cocker, Pulp's 'Something Changed' and the standard 'The Way You Look Tonight' but the Jamaican DJ cut it off to play some reggae...

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  6. Oh no! I am not clicking on that clip or I'll be humming that tune all day...

    My choice would be James Taylor singing 'You Can Close Your Eyes".

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  7. KELLY Thanks for dropping by. At first I thought you were from the Shetland Isles north of Scotland till I realised my dumb mistake. Hopefully you are far enough from Hurricane Sandy not to be much bothered by it. So hunker down and listen to the Birdie/Chicken Song for hours!
    SIR BOOTH Don't worry, I will remember to tell them to put "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" on the sound system at your funeral.
    KATHERINE I know I should make more art because when I get down to it, it's something I love - just like making poems and songs. Nice song choice for your funeral. Could we also have "Kathy's Song" by Paul Simon?

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  8. I want "Happy Trails," the real version by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

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  9. Frank Ifield...I remember youuuuuuu.

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  10. JAN BLAWAT I just listened to the song via YouTube. Yes! A very appropriate goodbye song. I hope you have told Bob - just in case he outlives you.
    LIBBY Maybe you can get everybody on the flight to Copenhagen to sing "I Remember You" in unison - just in case the plane goes down over the North Sea!

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  11. Oh YP don't say that!! I am a nervous flyer (flier?) and dread the journey....however small.

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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