Funeral Music

By Louise Ure

“That’s it,” I told my husband last night. “That’s what I want you to play at my funeral.”

We were watching The Great Escape for the 161st time, and I finally realized how important that soundtrack was to me. It’s a tune of no consequence, in fact a bit too martial and full of rosy-cheeked optimism, but it makes me happy whenever I hear it. It’s the tune I whistle when I’m alone.

When my mother turned 75 (almost a quarter century ago) I mixed a tape of all the songs I remember her singing around the house –the songs that were the soundtrack to her life. “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” for her courtship with my father. “Blue Bayou” for finding her True Love late in life. “Summertime” because she’d never left the heat of Arizona. “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother,” for some now inexplicable reason.

What other music would define my life?

I know I’d include the soundtrack to the Perry Mason TV series.

When I moved to France, my mother sent me a Care Package so that I wouldn’t feel so alone: a paperback mystery, a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and a loop audio tape of the Perry Mason theme song. It was my lullaby.

I’d have to include “Looking For Love In All the Wrong Places,” to commemorate my wild years.  And “Brown-Eyed Girl” for the relationship that song reminds me of.

And finally, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s haunting medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World.” An anthem to all things important and all things gone.

And now we have another important thing gone.

My Tuesday partner, Ken Bruen, has decided that he can’t be blogging on a regular basis anymore. In truth, I don’t know how he found the time to begin with, with all the writing and goings-on in his life.

I know I speak for all of us in saying how much we’ve looked forward to his posts. I treasure the time and love he’s given us, even though he often made us cry. We will miss him like a lost limb.

We have a wonderful new Tuesday regular in the wings (Pari will tell you more about that later), and a few guest bloggers in the meantime (like next Tuesday's LJ Sellers, author of The Sex Club), but today we say goodbye to a warm and wonderful Murderati friend. Maybe … if we ask very sweetly … he’ll come back from time to time with another tale of angels, or serendipity, or grace.

So, my Rati’ friends, what would your funeral music be?

And if you were to pick a farewell song for Ken, what would that be? I’ll put the whole list together on a CD and send it to him.

LU

Comments

[JT Ellison]

I need Nessun Dorma and Amazing Grace at mine

-- and for Ken, who will be greatly missed --

Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli)

[Louise Ure]

JT, you're going Old School on the funeral music, but great picks.

And I'll start the CD with Time to Say Goodbye.

[Sharon Wheeler]

I have already told my friends and family that I want Faithful Departed by The Radiators and Thousands Are Sailing by The Pogues played at my funeral!

I'm sorry to hear Ken's moving on to other things, but it's been a privilege to read his blog entries -- no other writer can make me laugh and cry (often within a couple of pars of each other) like he can. Come to think of it, Faithful Departed might be a good farewell song for Ken.

[Sharon Wheeler]

Oops, sorry, forgot to add the line from the song which always make me think of Ken's writing: "The ghosts of the saints and the scholars will haunt you in heaven and in hell."

[R.J. Mangahas]

Okay, not an easy thing to pick. I mean after all, it could be the song that I'm forever remembered by, so here are three possible choices:

-- Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: Rainbow-Wonderful World Combo.

-- Louie Armstrong: What a wonderful world

-- Jordan Hill: Remember me this way

For Ken: "On Eagle's Wings". Simply because many of Ken's posts have been very moving and inspiring.

[Louise Ure]

Shaz, of course you'd pick The Pogues. As it should be. But that line about "the ghosts of the saints and the scholars" is so damn appropriate for our Mr. Bruen! Thanks for the idea.

R.J., I think we have the same taste in music. "On Eagle's Wings" is going on Ken's list. Too cool.

[Pari Noskin Taichert]

Louise,
Wow. What a way to start the day.

For me -- Kodaly's "Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello"
It's my favorite piece of music in the world.

For Ken -- Oh, hell. I don't know. Actually, I do. It'd be the same Kodaly composition because it evokes every known emotion . . . and then some that hitherto didn't exist.

God's speed, Ken. We'll miss you.

I'm so grateful we've found such a wonderful person to share Tuesdays with Louise. It makes the heartbreak a little easier to bear.

[Kaye Barley]

My funeral will be the last time I'll be surrounded by my favorite people in the world. I can't bear the thought of everyone crying and being sad instead of celebrating my time here and remembering the good times. Some of my very best times and special occasions have been celebrated by attending concerts, the most memorable being one of the Willie Nelson 4th of July concerts many, many years ago. Outrageous. So I've asked Donald to please make sure Willie Nelson is singing "Uncloudy Day," "Good Hearted Woman" and "The Party's Over."

and a send off for Ken? man, i just hate that. For real. No one in the world makes me enjoy a good cry as much as Ken Bruen. How 'bout we have Willie Nelson sing for this sad occasion too. My choice? "Stay a Little Longer?"

[Louise Ure]

Pari, I can't find the Kodaly version of that song, only Janos Starker. Will that do? Or can you give me the name of the album it's on? (The Starker version is beautiful. I can see why you've picked it.)

And Kaye, you're a woman after my own heart. I want people to dance and laugh at my funeral. (And while the theme song to Perry Mason won't exactly get their feet tapping, it sure will make them laugh.)

I'm adding "Stay a Little Longer" to the list. Perfect choice.

[Tom]

Louise, I think you have the right recording; Kodaly wrote the music, Starker (and other cellists) play it. Classical music citations are usually 'composer first, then performer.'

The selfish part of me wants to yowl "Bruen! You faithless bugger!" while the better part of me knows he's keeping faith somewhere more urgent. It's been grand and a joy reading you here, sir.

But truth to tell, LU, it was your writing that got me here. Then I read the rest of you, and now I read the blog every day. BTW, that bastard Battles owes me two nights' sleep, he and his CLEANER.

Music; for today, "When The Saints Go Marching In." For later, "Didn't He Ramble."

[Rob Gregory Browne]

Am so sorry to see Ken go. Not only is he a wonderful writer but a true gentleman, as well. And anyone who walks into his local bookstore and shifts your book to the "bestseller" shelf is a friend forever...

Thanks, Ken. "“May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far” -- Irish Blessing

Music: Farewell Song by Janis Joplin.

[Pari Noskin Taichert]

Louise,
Yes, the Starker version is the one I'm thinking of. My daughter's cello teacher says that Kodaly actually wrote it for him. I heard it performed live in Ann Arbor; it's the only piece of music that has moved me to tears.

It was stunning.

Actually, another good one for Ken would be "In these shoes" by Kirsty MacColl. Ken would appreciate the humor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzoUdtMSH4

Sharon,
MacColl does one heck of a job on a Fairytale of New York with the Pogues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY

[Louise Ure]

Tom, you are a joy. May I add the "Didn't he Ramble" to Ken's list? Fine song for a fine man.

Got it now, Pari! And I don't know if Ken can identify with "In These Shoes" but I think it's a howl!

Brett, the Farewell Song is just the best. As is the blessing. Good one.

[toni mcgee causey]

Sometimes, we are very lucky in life to have someone of grace and wisdom walk among us and we recognize that moment as rare and precious; that's how I feel about our time with Ken. Grace and wisdom, a touchstone that will always be remembered.

For Ken, Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah," Bill "Withers Ain't No Sunshine" and Gary Allen's "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"

[Alexandra Sokoloff]

I didn't get to sing "Brown Eyed Girl" for Ken at Thrillerfest last year so I still owe him that one (and will hunt him down to do it...) And throw in "In the Name of Love" on top of that.

At my funeral? "Lady Marmelade", please!

[Louise Ure]

Alex, "Lady Marmelade" is so you. They'll be dancing in the aisles.

And I would pay good money to see you serenade Ken with the other two. A CD version of them will have to suffice until you do.

[Louise Ure]

Toni, as I expected, you've come up with a personal trilogy that does him justice. Thank you. They're now on the list.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

Okay, Louise, I know Brett and I hang out a lot and are often seen (and heard) together, but if I'm now being MISTAKEN for Brett, I think I'm in trouble.... :)

[gregory huffstutter]

For Ken: "Sweet Thing"... The Waterboy's version on Fisherman's Blues.

[Louise Ure]

Dear RGB: Ruh roh. Sorry about that. See what happens when I'm squinting at my iPhone to reply to comments?

Gregory, I just listened to "Sweet Thing." What a fine tribute.

[billie]

I have no idea about music for my funeral! I think I'll let whoever plans it pick something out.

Funny - for Ken I picked Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah as well. It popped into my head the moment I read your blog this morning.

Thanks to Ken for so many beautiful posts.

[Louise Ure]

And thanks to you, too, Billie, for your continuing insightful and delightful comments. Maybe I'll both start and end the CD with Hallelujah.

[Tom Barclay]

Folks, I do want to point out - so far as we know, Ken's not dead!!

'Course, that doesn't mean we shouldn't throw an online Irish wake . . .

[Louise Ure]

Very funny, Tom. Yes, I can vouch for the fact that, as of our last communique thirty mintues ago, he's alive and well and hard at work.

But I'm still bummed. Thinking about an Australian friend's plaint: "I see you leaving and I'm missing you already."

[Tom Barclay]

If I may make a mix suggestion . . . use Leonard Cohen for the first 'Hallelujah.' He wrote it, and his voice sounds a bit more in character with your intent.