Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Songs for a funeral/memorial?
#1Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:22am
One of the children of a family I am very close to was killed in a traffic accident last week. The memorial is this coming Friday, and I may be singing something. I'm looking for a song/showtune that might be appropriate. I have a few ideas already, but I thought I'd ask for suggestions.
EDIT: to add. I am female. I have a fairly wide range and sing both belter and more legit stuff.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride.
I love you because I know no other way than this.
I believe in fate
But it's up to us to follow through
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#1re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:39amThe choice that first comes to mind is "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel or along that note "No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods. If you want to go for something more somber you can sing "Time Heals Everything"--Bernadette Peters performed this number at the Tonys as a tribute to her late co-star Robert Preston the year he passed.
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#2re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:41amI know THE perfect one: Bring Him Home from Les Miz.
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#4re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:48amAnytime (I Am There) from Elegies. It's actually meant to be sung by a mother to the child she left behind, but it's a beautiful song nonetheless. And at my grandfather's funeral, we played Lift The Wings. Both songs are touching and wistful, and also acknowledge that the deceased never really leave us.
http://community.livejournal.com/ltd_brands_suck/
musicallover2008
Featured Actor Joined: 2/4/05
#5re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:51amSome people might not agree with this but I was at a funeral that used "For Good" and I thought it fit very welll.
#6re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:56amSeasons of Love.
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#7re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:00amSeasons of Love!? Are you serious?
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#8re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:01amYou say you have a nice range so I was thinking "Without You" from Rent. I sang it at my grandmother's funeral and it went over well. People really enjoyed it. Also I do like the idea of "For Good" from Wicked if you can take at the whole and just to clear they air....
"Passion can drive you crazy but is there any other way to live"
#9re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:02am
Want something sad or uplifting?
"My Funny Valentine" - sad
"Old Friend" - uplifting
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
friedrichVT
Leading Actor Joined: 5/4/06
#11re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 1:04amFunambul from Cirque du Soleil's Varekai is a beautiful (non lyrical) aria.
I love America. Just because I think gay dudes should be allowed to adopt kids and we should all have hybrid cars doesn't mean I don't love America.
[turns and winks directly into the camera]
- Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) on 30 Rock
being.jeremiah
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#12re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:08am
A good memorial song, which celebrates someone's life rather than dwelling on one's demise, is "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin.
Tried and tested, and proven, too.
broadjay
Understudy Joined: 8/26/06
#13re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 4:08amrecently my sister fiance pass lets just say suddenly, my sister and his parents ask if I would sing "The prayer" I choose to do it accapella, it was one of the best performances I have ever given (sadly) the lyrics are beautiful and fitting to say farewell/see you soon look over us and take care...
rockfenris2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#14re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:08am
Um,
"Bring Him Home" -- Les MisErables
"We're Still The Children We Once Were" -- Batman: The Musical
Write me if ur interested in that last one. It's very pretty and sad
Who can explain it, who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try
-South Pacific
luvtheatre11
Understudy Joined: 1/3/06
#15re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:35amI have heard What I Did For Love at 2 funerals now. Both people were very involved in local theater and loved the theatre in general. I was also at one where someone did Dan Fogelberg's Netherlands..that was really beautiful, and a bit different.
coolphantom919
Broadway Star Joined: 6/6/06
Joelbeans
Stand-by Joined: 5/9/05
#17re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:18amWe have an awards ceremony here in St. Louis for all the local community theatre groups and we do a tribute to the people that have passed away throughout the year. The past two years they have sung "For Good" and it was very touching. If it is a children's funeral that you are singing at "No One is Alone" is so appropriate. I don't know if this would work as a solo but "I will Never Leave you" from Side Show. Hope this helps. I am so sorry for your loss.....
#18re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:33am"Whishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from POTO
#19re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:43amYou Walk With Me from The Full Monty
#20re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:46am
Flying Home - Songs for a New World
Terribly sorry for the loss.
"Better...Better than What?" -Jo March (Little Women the Musical)
"NYC...Up there (In Lights) I'll be." -Star to be (Annie)
#21re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:20am
First of I want to offer my condolences to you and to the family.
As far as a song choice -- I still have to side with "You'll Never Walk Alone" as being the best one. I have heard it done numerous times at funerals and for other religious services and it has always come across well.
Another song to think about that you would probably never consider is "You Walk With Me" from The Full Monty. Out of the context of the show the lyrics work very nicely for a service such as this one. Obviously it was meant to be a duet, but could be done as a solo since there is always a defined melody line and no polyphony. Here are the lyrics in case you aren't familiar with them:
Is is the wind
Over my shoulder?
Is it the wind that I hear gently whispering
Are you alone there in the valley?
No, not alone for you walk, you walk with me
Is it the wind there over my shoulder?
Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me
When evening falls
And the air gets colder
When shadows cover the road I am following
Will I be alone there in the darkness?
No, not alone, not alone
And I'll never be...
Never alone, you are walking
You're walking with me
Is it the wind there, over my shoulder?
Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me
Over the hilltop, down in the valley
Never alone for you walk with me
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man
Maggie_May
Stand-by Joined: 8/14/06
#22re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:00pm
I don't think seasons of love would fit. At the beginning of my senior year I sang with my high school chorus at an open casket wake for a girl who had JUST graduated who was in the chorus, and we sang that and it felt weird especially after singing Danny Boy.
Danny Boy is a really beautiful song to sing though (I know it's not broadway sorry.)
mrs felciano
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/06
#23re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:46pmNormally I would never recommend something from Wicked but my school concert choir sang For Good at a funeral and it was lovely.
#24re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 3:21pm
I'm very sorry about your loss.
I agree with You'll Never Walk Alone. It's a beautiful song. For Good is a good idea too.
There wouldn't be lights bright enough!
#25re: Songs for a funeral/memorial?
Posted: 11/28/06 at 3:40pm
I'm very sorry for your loss.
I'm going to agree with "No One is Alone."
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
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