Looking for a poem or...song..?

[LindaL]

I am looking for an appropriate funeral poem or maybe a song to incorporate into the service or maybe just on the funeral program....not sure yet...just something appropriate for an older woman.

Thanks!

 

[lovinarabs]

I've sung at a few funerals. The Old Irish Blessing is a good one, or On Eagle's Wings. Wind Beneath My Wings has been a popular, also. I will keep stretching my brain here and see what I come up with.

 

[Reble]

I am not sure if this is what you where thinking

but have always loved this one.

Not sure if this ok for a funeral...

A Poem from an Elderly Lady

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

What are you thinking when you're looking at me?

A crabby old woman, not very wise,

Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply

When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice the things that you do,

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....

Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....

Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten ...with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,

Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,

But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more, babies play round my knee,

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;

I look at the future, I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing young of their own,

And I think of the years and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel; '

Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,

There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again.

I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,

Not a crabby old woman; look closer ...see ME!!

~~~~~~~

Remember this poem when you next meet an old person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within .......

We will one day be there, too!

 

[lovinarabs]

Rebel's post reminded me of the poem that we had read at my mother's funeral.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It almost seemed impossible

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you.

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times you did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

 

[minimama]

There is also a country song that I cannot think of the title of, but it talks about "One More Day" If I could have just one more day with you, something like that. Very pretty and it was played at my neices funeral. If I can find the title I will post it.

One More Day

Last night I had a crazy dream

A wish was granted just for me

It could be for anything

I didn't ask for money

Or a mansion in Malibu

I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day

One more time

One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied

But then again

I know what it would do

Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl

Then I'd unplug the telephone

And keep the TV off

I'd hold you every second

Say a million I love you's

That's what I'd do, with one more day with you

Leave me wishing still, for one more day

Leave me wishing still, for one more day

By: Diamond Rio
Found them!!!! So pretty!!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

 

[Just Us N Texas]

A country song called "When I get where I'm going". I think it is perfect. Sorry, I can't remember the artist's name. A friend of mine had it played at her husband's funeral, and she said she never believed in having music at a funeral, but upon hearing this, she changed her mind. I've heard it several times now, and it is truly appropriate and beautiful.

Wanted to add, I think all the poems are beautiful, and "One More Day" is very pretty.

 

[Marty]

Linda, when my mother died I broke all the rules and didn't care much for "appropriate"

I had her favorite music playing.....many of Rogers & Hammerstein's songs from "The Sound of Music"

Mom lived and breathed for this music and that is what was played. It was for her, her tribute

The pastor did not approve but I told him this is HER funeral, not his and this is what my mom loved.

**********************************************

Michael was another story but mostly I did the same for him. What HE loved was what mattered. I threw "appropriate" out the window again.

He (&I) LOVE Cannon in D by Pacheval......it was "our theme song" we always loved it, so that was played

That is why it is on my homepage and also on his homepage

He also loved Amazing Grace so that was sung by two of his Church members

and then friend Josh, played a solo of it on his sax

Then there was his favorite song by Nickleback "Far Away"

and "The End" by Creed which he loved

and for me.........Tears in Heaven

There was more, but to be honest I was so stoned I can't remember and don't want to because that was the first day of the end of my life

I wrote his eulogy but couldn't deliver it so my sister in law Kathy from Paris Kentucky did

 

[JumpinJackFarm]

"MY HEART WILL GO ON" BY CELINE DION

*IT WAS THE THEME SONG FOR "TITANIC".....IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SONG

 

[kaykay]

when my sister died we played "go rest high on that mountain" written and sung by vince gill. he wrote this for his brother that died and it was very fitting for my sister. heres a link to hear it

song

 

[LaraP]

At Joshua's service we had several songs playing. Since he was in the Navy we played the song,

ANOTHER SOLDIER'S COMING HOME..

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Joshua's favorite song when he was little it was sung by Kenny Loggins, about Whinny The Pooh. I can't listen to that now. Like Marty said, NO TEARS IN HEAVEN.

Good Luck I am sure you will find a song that will fit just perfect for your loved one.

 

[nootka]

I love these:

Oliver Wendell Holmes' Chambered Nautilus:

This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,

Sail the unshadowed main,--

The venturous bark that flings

On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings

In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,

And coral reefs lie bare,

Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.

Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl;

Wrecked is the ship of pearl!

And every chambered cell,

Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell,

As the frail tenant shaped his growing shell,

Before thee lies revealed,--

Its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed!

Year after year beheld the silent toil

That spread his lustrous coil;

Still, as the spiral grew,

He left the past year's dwelling for the new,

Stole with soft step its shining archway through,

Built up its idle door,

Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more.

Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,

Child of the wandering sea,

Cast from her lap, forlorn!

From thy dead lips a clearer note is born

Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn;

While on mine ear it rings,

Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings:--

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,

As the swift seasons roll!

Leave thy low-vaulted past!

Let each new temple, nobler than the last,

Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,

Till thou at length art free,

Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea!

______________________________________________________________

or:

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

-Alfred Lord Tennyson

______________________________________________

or this:

"o purple finch

please tell me why

this summer world(and you and i

who love so much to live)

must die"

"if i

should tell you anything"

(that eagerly sweet carolling

self answers me)

"i could not sing"

-e.e. cummings

______________________________________________

Excerpts from Walt Whitman's Song of Myself are apropos, i would think,:

"Who has done his day's work? who will soonest be through with his supper?

Who wishes to walk with me?

Will you speak before I am gone? will you prove already too late?

52

The spotted hawk swoops by and accuses me, he complains of my gab

and my loitering.

I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,

I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.

The last scud of day holds back for me,

It flings my likeness after the rest and true as any on the shadow'd wilds,

It coaxes me to the vapor and the dusk.

I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,

I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags.

I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,

If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.

You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,

But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,

And filter and fibre your blood.

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,

Missing me one place search another,

I stop somewhere waiting for you. "

___________________________________________________

and here is one of my Grandma's favorites:

737. The Garden of Proserpine

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909)

HERE, where the world is quiet,

Here, where all trouble seems

Dead winds’ and spent waves’ riot

In doubtful dreams of dreams;

I watch the green field growing 5

For reaping folk and sowing,

For harvest time and mowing,

A sleepy world of streams.

I am tired of tears and laughter,

And men that laugh and weep 10

Of what may come hereafter

For men that sow to reap:

I am weary of days and hours,

Blown buds of barren flowers,

Desires and dreams and powers 15

And everything but sleep.

Here life has death for neighbor,

And far from eye or ear

Wan waves and wet winds labor,

Weak ships and spirits steer; 20

They drive adrift, and whither

They wot not who make thither;

But no such winds blow hither,

And no such things grow here.

No growth of moor or coppice, 25

No heather-flower or vine,

But bloomless buds of poppies,

Green grapes of Proserpine,

Pale beds of blowing rushes

Where no leaf blooms or blushes, 30

Save this whereout she crushes

For dead men deadly wine.

Pale, without name or number,

In fruitless fields of corn,

They bow themselves and slumber 35

All night till light is born;

And like a soul belated,

In heck and heaven unmated,

By cloud and mist abated

Comes out of darkness morn. 40

Though one were strong as seven,

He too with death shall dwell,

Nor wake with wings in heaven,

Nor weep for pains in heck;

Though one were fair as roses, 45

His beauty clouds and closes;

And well though love reposes,

In the end it is not well.

Pale, beyond porch and portal,

Crowned with calm leaves, she stands 50

Who gathers all things mortal

With cold immortal hands;

Her languid lips are sweeter

Than love’s who fears to greet her

To men that mix and meet her 55

From many times and lands.

She waits for each and other,

She waits for all men born;

Forgets the earth her mother,

The life of fruits and corn; 60

And spring and seed and swallow

Take wing for her and follow

Where summer song rings hollow

And flowers are put to scorn.

There go the loves that wither, 65

The old loves with wearier wings;

And all dead years draw thither,

And all disastrous things;

Dead dreams of days forsaken

Blind buds that snows have shaken, 70

Wild leaves that winds have taken,

Red strays of ruined springs.

We are not sure of sorrow,

And joy was never sure;

To-day will die to-morrow 75

Time stoops to no man’s lure;

And love, grown faint and fretful

With lips but half regretful

Sighs, and with eyes forgetful

Weeps that no loves endure. 80

From too much love of living,

From hope and fear set free,

We thank with brief thanksgiving

Whatever gods may be

That no life lives for ever; 85

That dead men rise up never;

That even the weariest river

Winds somewhere safe to sea.

Then star nor sun shall waken,

Nor any change of light: 90

Nor sound of waters shaken,

Nor any sound or sight:

Nor wintry leaves nor vernal,

Nor days nor things diurnal;

Only the sleep eternal 95

In an eternal night.

(sorry to make such a long post, but these topics are near and dear to my heart, loving poetry as I do, and knowing how profound some can make one feel especially in reference to a life deeply loved and missed. I hope you find just the right tribute, and comfort to you)

L.

 

[Miniv]

Linda,

Just for the record -- I've always loved the poem that Jane posted......and Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings" happens to be my mother's and my song....... You've received some wonderful songs and poems (many of which I am planning to save for my personal journal.).

Here is something a friend sent to me once.

I Am

The "I" that is me - you cannot see.

You see only the form that you think is me.

This form that you see, will not always be,

but the "I" that is me - lives eternally.

Author: Mary Lou Van Atta

MA

 

[LindaL]

Thanks everyone for some wonderful suggestions. Tracy is already using "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "In My Daughter's Eyes" and they'll have them set to play during a slide show. Mainly wanting something to put inside the program...I will have to show Tracy a few of the poems you've suggested.

Keep on giving me more....

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

A country song called "When I get where I'm going". I think it is perfect. Sorry, I can't remember the artist's name.

It's Brad Paisley off his album Time Well Wasted, with Dolly Parton singing with him. wonderful song!!

 

[Robin1]

I have a couple favorites: The one Rabbit posted: Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Then: Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last for ever; I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood,

For nothing now can ever come to any good.

W. H. Auden

Here's another one.

In Memory Of:

They say memories are golden, well, maybe that is true,

I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you, A million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still,

In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,

I'd walk the path to Heaven and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

Robin

 

[kdtexas]

This is the poem that was read at my sweet mom's funeral Feb. of last year. We were a close family of 5 siblings and family was important to all of us.

Why God Made Families

When creation was finished,

each star in its place,

God cradled the earth

in His thoughtful embrace,

And, knowing that there

would be problems to face,

His wonderful plan came to be...

For he wanted His children

to learn to be strong,

And not become frightened

if things should go wrong,

So He placed in each heart

a desire to belong

Somewhere they felt needed, yet free...

Then He added acceptance

and patience and trust,

Love that was selfless

and caring and just,

Where questions were welcome

and laughter a must...

And He called His great gift "family".

 

[Sue_C.]

I have always said I want "Some day I'm gonna ride in a Caddilac", by Matt Minglewood. (I think it's him...sure it is; I am going to have to pick up that CD)

:

I just love it...

"Some day, I'm gonna ride in a Caddilac...Gonna roll on up to them big white Gates, in a long one; shiney-n-black. Gonna buy me a one-way ticket, I ain't coming back...Some day, I'm gonna ride in a caddilac..."

I figure I'm going out the way I lived...cracking jokes-n-having fun. A Wake for me!

: :bgrin