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Music To Die For

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Have you thought about the music to send you on your way If they played you Bach not Beethoven would there be hell to pay I had to make the difficult choices when my father died Mario Lanza ‘I’ll walk with God’ – oh how my mother cried The Lithuanian National Anthem, of his heritage dad was proud I can still picture him proudly singing it; he always sang it loud Gaudeamus Igitur was another favourite song of dad’s He would sing it regularly when he had a beer with the lads Maybe its time now for you all to think ahead For it will be too late when you are already dead So think about the songs that you would choose Do it while you are still here – you have nothing to lose! 16th August 2015

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James Fraser

Date: 11/21/2015 1:43:00 PM

I'll probably depart with Rock Music. Most definately if cremated 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' Bryan Ferry's version ;) xxx nice poem Jan xxx

Jan Allison
Date: 11/21/2015 5:57:00 PM

ha ha ha love it James:-) hugs jan xx

Daver Austin

Date: 8/17/2015 2:44:00 PM

This is a consideration. The mourners, of course, are the only ones to consider the way I see it, but if I am conscious of the music being played while I lay in state it better not be some piece of junk. Bach would be fine. Love, daver

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 2:46:00 PM

I know from my experience with dad's funeral that i want to make it as simple as possible for those I leave behind:-) hugs jan xx

Emile Pinet

Date: 8/17/2015 11:37:00 AM

From birth till death music enters our lives and effects our moods and acceptance of ideas by its attachment to our souls and hearts. Emile.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 11:58:00 AM

I love my music Emile a great way of relaxing and also socialising:-) hugs jan xx

Mama Bear

Date: 8/17/2015 10:15:00 AM

Nearly got there this year but am back to keep on my path. Cremation and no service is for me. I have my songs to sing now and will not care if any are done after I am gone. Glad we are all different it makes a wonderful world for us to live in as long as we can Love and hugs Edith

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 11:57:00 AM

You are doing remarkably well mama bear - your dancing shoes will keep you going! hugs jan xx

Paul Callus

Date: 8/17/2015 10:02:00 AM

Preparing for the big occasion is being practical! Leaving everything in order avoids unnecessary trouble and stress. No panic and rushing around (in Malta funerals are held just about straight away, within 24 hrs). ~ If it happens to be windy and rainy on that day, I'll be happy to be accompanied by nature's songs:) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 11:56:00 AM

It was about 10 days we had to prepare for dad's funeral as we had to give chance for people to fly over... I will be much better prepared for when mum's time comes but as she is from a very long lived family she may out live me at this rate - her great great aunt was 111 and 121 days and was in the Guinness book of records!:-) hugs Jan xx

James Peranteau

Date: 8/17/2015 9:51:00 AM

I have taken notice that this is not an Elegy dear poet, and have scanned the first page list of your writes and did not see one posted. So I am assuming that some time has lapsed since your fathers passing, and my sincere condolences Jan. Anywho, those songs in your write here, some of them are too my fathers favorites, though he is very much alive, this is food for thought for when the time does arrive, for this I thank you and your write! Have a wonderful week...much love, james

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 11:53:00 AM

My dad died in February this year - we had sorted out some things regarding his wishes for the funeral when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June last year but music was not discussed - would have made it so much less stressful at what is such a difficult time :-) hugs Jan xx

Gary Bateman

Date: 8/17/2015 9:39:00 AM

Hello Jan, A wonderful tribute to your father here. The elegance and power of the message of your couplet here are obvious. Excellent Write!! I hope goes better for you and your family over time. Sorry for your loss. (BTW, on a personal note, I already have my favorite songs pre-selected when my day comes. A good thing to do for sure as you point out in your final two couplets.) Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary

Gary Bateman
Date: 8/17/2015 4:15:00 PM

I totally understand Jan!! This is the same way that Ingrid and I look at this circumstance. (One of my wife's brothers died about four months ago here in German, and we had to go through a similar circumstance.) Believe me, we understand. My brother-in-law did actually have final music pre-planned, but then we had all the other stuff to deal with. Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 11:51:00 AM

I found it so difficult to have to deal with songs at what was an already stressful time - I want to make my passing simple for those I leave behind:-) Hugs jan xx

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 8/17/2015 5:13:00 AM

Very wise advice, dear Jan! I will chose the one I like and start listening to it till death comes! Ha-ha! Beautiful couplet and a wonderful tribute to your father!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 6:29:00 AM

Thanks Demetrios:-) hugs Jan xx

Theresa Cw

Date: 8/17/2015 4:15:00 AM

As always you seem to amaze many with your elegant style and finesse. many hugs dear Jan///

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 6:28:00 AM

Thanks so much Theresa so glad to see your comment:-) hugs Jan xx

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 8/17/2015 1:54:00 AM

G'day Jan... you have certainly written something to ponder over Jan. I've never given that a thought, and you are right; being organized helps everyone - Lindsay

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 2:30:00 AM

Dad died in February ... if you have never organised a funeral before the organisation is quite daunting at what is already a stressful time and having to think of songs etc is a simple job that can be done when the person is still alive - I am doing a list of music with mum - and she will be redoing her will the ones she and dad had were not drawn up properly and it is a legal nightmare! Guess it is a topic we don't like to even think about but being organised really does help those you leave behind:-( hugs Jan xx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/16/2015 10:31:00 PM

So beautiful, and ironically, at the same time I am listening to Chopin, amazing!

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/17/2015 10:17:00 AM

Well I hope the stress is fading away, by the way, how much are you leaving me? LOL hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 2:25:00 AM

It may not be a topic we want to think of BUT believe me the stress it caused at the time was something I could have done without - I am now organised with my songs and have wills made - i can't put my immediate family through the stress I am still under!:-) hugs jan xx

Thomas Martin

Date: 8/16/2015 6:40:00 PM

Gosh,Jan! So true and so beautifully done!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/17/2015 2:23:00 AM

Thanks Thomas:-) Hugs jan xx

Ken Carroll

Date: 8/16/2015 6:13:00 PM

Thought provoking write Jan.. Well done!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 6:15:00 PM

Thanks Ken:-) hugs Jan xx

Ian Jones

Date: 8/16/2015 2:55:00 PM

Hi Jan, sound advice indeed. Jennifer scowled at me when I said I wanted Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters when I was cremated. In reference to one of your comments, No sooner has the undertaker left than the taxman is pounding at your door with his hand outstretched, If the grief wasn't enough. Kind regards, Ian

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 3:01:00 PM

You have what you want Ian - at least its not Angels by Robbie Williams which seems to be very popular! As for the tax man ... I actually managed to get mum a £400 tax rebate. I just want to make it easy for those left behind - my dad has left us a nightmare especially with his wills - I wouldn't want others to have the stress I am currently under:-( hugs jan xx

Tim Smith

Date: 8/16/2015 11:57:00 AM

I can still remember my brother's funeral where my other brother played guitar and a friend sang You'll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins....I still tear up every time I hear that song. As for me I have never thought much about it...maybe If You Get There Before I Do by Collin Raye

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 12:02:00 PM

Tim - it was such a hard thing to do - we had discussed his funeral arrangements cars, cremation, where his ashes were to go in Lithuania but not the songs and having to get the order of service prepared was a nightmare ...all I am trying to say is just think of those left behind - make it easy for them at what is a very difficult time:-( Hugs jan xx

Darlene Gifford

Date: 8/16/2015 10:57:00 AM

Hi, Jan, I read your remark about how you wished your dad had been more thoughtful. But if you think about it, funerals are for the living. And maybe he wanted you to be comforted with your song of choice that would help you ease his passing. (Just a thought.) I like the "When We Gather At The River" song. Also there is a famous poem, "If you should go first" Something about wait for me I'll be a few steps behind you. ~~Darlene

Darlene Gifford
Date: 8/16/2015 7:38:00 PM

So sorry Jan for what you are dealing with. I can see how this has affected how you want everything organized in your own life. You are being very considerate in thinking of your family. I'm sure they will appreciate it, but I hope you live a long life and don't have to worry about your own death for many years to come. ~~Darlene

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 11:56:00 AM

Darlene my dad has left us with a living hell to deal with over his estate both on the Island and in his homeland of Lithuania . Therefore I want leave everything organised so my family don't have to suffer the stress they see me under now:-( hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/16/2015 10:34:00 AM

good one, JAN. Mine might be "Forever YOung" It is the song I used on a CD of all my pictures that were assembled for a souvenir of my life.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 11:51:00 AM

Oh that's a lovely song and a great idea Andrea:-) hugs Jan xx

James Inman

Date: 8/16/2015 10:00:00 AM

Lovely poem Jan, certainly makes you think.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 10:02:00 AM

Thanks James - its not a nice thing to think about but planning in advance sure makes it easier for those left behind at what is a very stressful time:-( hugs Jan xx

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/16/2015 9:36:00 AM

At last..ai can comment I think.: ) Had commenting problems. Jan..If I die..dont forget this list I want..'Somewhere over the rainbow/I will follow him /Our father who art in heaven / Heal.the world/ Thankyou for loving me/I thankyou Jesus for loving me/ amazing grace/the maltese anthem/if tomorrow never comes/hallelujah/ Congratulaltions and celebrations /Twinkle twinkle little star and the circle of love.Ending wuth Annie s song Tomorrow : ). I love a white coffin and pink flowers or recramation ..my ashes scattered in san anton s garden. Friends should wear any colour of d rainbow and pls get balloons..Id catch them from the sky.Do a a poop limerick day in my honour..and i kiss you all from heaven.Love yr poem ..and yes its of use to prepare for the day ..

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 9:47:00 AM

Gosh you are organised Charma I have chosen 3 songs and my ashes are to be scattered at a place called Bradda head - oh what a cheerful subject but it needs to be discussed whilst we are still around to make the decisions - so difficult to do it for someone else at a very stressful time:-( hugs Jan xx

Constance La France

Date: 8/16/2015 8:42:00 AM

WE played amazing grace at my dads funeral and I hummed that song for months and months, and there were a few other religious songs but it is that one that stuck, your poem is beautiful Jan and thanks for visiting my beloved poem (ps there is an ad right over the comment box on your poem and I am typing on top of it)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 9:45:00 AM

I have told my son and hubby the songs I want but I will write them down - I have been chatting to mum about things she wants - she has a favourite poem 'Jenny kiss'd me' and I am to recite that - my sis got her to write down songs but I have no idea what happened to that list:-( hugs jan xx

Constance La France
Date: 8/16/2015 9:34:00 AM

I should pick a song to but pretty sure it would not be religious maybe classical music that is my favorite , I sent admin a message about the problems

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 8:48:00 AM

I've had issues making comments I couldn't see the captcha code in fact I posted my poem earlier as I had no reads at all so I deleted it - I know other people are having issues. I had to keep playing 'I walk with God' at home for a few days before the funeral so it didn't make my cry on the day - it was a very fitting song to choose:-) I simply want to make it easy for my family when I go! hugs Jan xx

Bill Lindsay

Date: 8/16/2015 8:33:00 AM

If I could ask for 3 words about me to be spoken at my funeral, they would be ... "Look! He moved!" Good idea though, Jan ... ;)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 8:40:00 AM

That made me smile Bill. It wasn't until I had to organise dad's funeral that I thought about my own mortality and what I would want. Stop's other people having to make difficult decisions at what is an already stressful time:-( hugs jan xx

Judy Konos

Date: 8/16/2015 8:31:00 AM

TODAY IS JAN A THON DAY! Winning Contests, Poem of the Day, and now this Gem comes forth....Congratulations are everywhere....

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 8:39:00 AM

It was so tough choosing the music for dad's funeral Judy since then I have already made my choices. We hadn't even got round to making wills until Bob got cancer - guess it's something we didn't want to think about but it makes it so much easier for everyone if your wishes are clear... Shame dad hadn't been a bit more thoughtful.... I will say no more on that subject:-( hugs jan xx