On my way home from work the other day, the sun bright and the sky blue, a song came on the radio - and I decided right then that I want it played at my funeral. Not that I'm planning on going anywhere anytime soon, mind you.
I read somewhere that there's been a recent trend to play the "most played" songs from a person's iPod at their funeral. I like that idea. There are many, many songs I love, and many, many songs I'd like to have played at my funeral. One of those would be "Hallelujah," the Leonard Cohen song. I like the Rufus Wainright version (on the Shrek soundtrack).
I also decided how I want to be disposed, too. I want to be cremated and my ashes divided and scattered in the following places because they are all places that have fed my soul (oceans, rivers, and desert):- The Pacific Ocean (preferably a beach on Kauai)
- The Atlantic Ocean (preferably Maine or North Carolina)
- Tucson, Arizona desert (near Sabino Canyon would be nice)
- The Mississippi River (preferably near St. Louis/Hanibal, MO)
- The Ohio River (as close to the "Book House" in Letart Falls as possible)
So, the song I heard on the radio that I want played at my funeral? End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys. I love that song, and as I listened to it, I loved the message and would love people to hear that at my funeral. Also, I love the Traveling Wilburys - so many of my favorite musicians were members (Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne), most notably George Harrison.
Here are the lyrics:
Well it's all right, riding around in the breezeWell it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, doing the best you can
Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand
You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring
Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is judgement day
Maybe somewhere down the road aways
You'll think of me, and wonder where I am these days
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze
Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line
Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive
It don't matter if you're by my side
I'm satisfied
Well it's all right, even if you're old and grey
Well it's all right, you still got something to say
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line
1 comment:
This is a topic that completely interests me, although it disturbs me to think of you dying. Anyway, I love your plans. I also like the Hallelujah song--I think I've only heard Rufus' version. It is such a joyous word but the song is so mournful. Perfect.
I am intrigued by the dividing your ashes thing. I would have never guessed that, or where you would want to go! Personally, just for me, I have a problem with getting all divided up. I want to be all in one place. I'm a homebody, I guess! Maybe in a future post you can tell us why or how these places have fed your heart. I'd like to know that.
I never really paid much attention to "It's All Right," but that is perfect. How about "Rainbow Connection"? That's the song I always associate with you :-)
I want Van Morrison's Into the Mystic played at my funeral. I love the line "And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home
And when that fog horn blows, I want to hear it...
I don't have to fear it..."
I have a question that I could just ask you on the phone but why not put it here: What do you want done with Eroll's ashes? I ask because that's something that is really important to my after-death plans--I want Hope's ashes blended with mine,since she was a part of me for almost all of her life.
I might have to steal this post idea. Although it would probably freak people out, given all my suicide talk. But it's fascinating nonetheless.
You are really cool. So glad you are my friend!
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