Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself

(Ghandi)

Friday, May 20, 2011

who will sing me to sleep

My gorgeous friend Pixie (she of the wicked blog Clouds and Illusions) introduced me recently to Kate Rusby, an amazing Yorkshire lass with a voice like an angel. The title of my second post of the day (unheard of!) is from her song "Who Will Sing me Lullabies". Almost as lovely a voice as Ms Pixie herself!

As lots of folk are, I'm preoccupied with death. I'm not sure if that's a result of, or a cause of, suicide attempts, but I tend to think it's linked. I also had a near death/out of body experience when I was 7 years old. I don't think it's healthy, to think about death and dying as much as I do... I realised the other day that my job is not helping me to change that focus. What I do each day is watch video of major roads in the state, and assess each road for hazards that may result in fatal car accidents. Basically I watch as a tree passes and decide "yes, that may kill someone if they crash into it". Then I record it on a spreadsheet. So my whole day is filled with thoughts and decisions about fatal car accidents. Death. I also have to make a record of roadside memorials. I guess they are all over the world? Where a family sets up a cross and shrine to mark where a family member (or members) have lost their lives in an accident? Cheerful work. NOT! No wonder I am morbid and preoccupied with death. No wonder I am afraid to get my drivers licence!

All the doctor talk about bleeding, ulcers, polyps and tumors doesn't help either. I realised today that I've never told my parents or Neil what song I want played at my funeral. Have I reiterated that I want to be an organ donor?? Have I told them I want to be cremated???

I thought I'd ask you guys what song you most want played at your funeral, if you've considered it. I think most of us have at some stage or another. My song is Moby's "We Are All Made of Stars".

9 comments:

Just Be Real said...

You know to be perfectly honest with you Lil I have never thought about what song to play at my funeral. I am just too preoccupied with just dying and going on to meet my Lord. Blessings.

Bec said...

I've thought about it too. Who know's what a healthy level is. I don't want to have a funeral but I don't think I will get a say in the matter. So if I have to the song I want played is 'Lightning Crashers' by Live. My husband's is 'pop goes the weasel'. Not exactly a funeral song but it is perfect for him.

Lisa said...

I've thought about what song to play... it would be "Do you realize" by the Flaming Lips...

xoxo
stay safe babe

LOVE YOU
thanks for all your support!

Rubye Jack said...

First off, I was so happy to see your post--just because you don't post all that often. Second, Yes, Pixie's music is beautiful--overall an extremely talented lady!
I don't think that much about death, just the process of dying. Now that is really morbid. I think your job would be really difficult in that you're reminded of death all the time.
I've thought about the song I want played at my service just because I love the song so much, Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing". I also think it is a good song for living with such lyrics as "I will never grow so old again".

Nic said...

You are very kind! I should point out to R, just in case he is reading, that I am not about to do anything bad. He gets a bit worried when I talk about my funeral music! Bless him. But yes, I have it all sorted - unless anything else inspiring crops up in the meantime. Going in we'll have Sandy Denny's 'The Lady', probably my favourite song ever, and going out we'll have 'Bring me sunshine' either sung by Brenda Lee or Morecombe and Wise, haven't decided. xxx

Anonymous said...

I'm too scared to think about what song I want played at my funeral. Death scares me greatly. I feel really bad that you're surrounded by it at work.

TDR said...

Sitting cataloging potentially fatal trees and the like is probably not likely to make one particularly cheerful. It almost sounds like a job that someone in a Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) novel would have!

As for what song I'd like played at my funeral, that is a tricky one, but I would have to say - Always Look On The Bright Side of Life by the boys from Monty Python.

"Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it,
Life's a laugh and death's a joke its true,
You'll see its all a show, keep them laughing as you go,
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.."

MRS PRN said...

Your post is just as morbid as my current one, lol.

Yes I've always had a morbid fascination with death, and in the right career for it to in the sense that I encounter it regularly.

As for a song to be played at my funeral? It would have to be Aaron Neville's 'Earth Angel'.

Letti ♿ ✡ said...

I want Souen by Noriyuki Asakura played at my funeral.