Lo, I’m sure you know of the Raymond Carver story, “A Small Good Thing” and also the twist Robert Altman gives it in his homage to Carver, Short Cuts. (I must watch that again.)
My aunt and I have decided that whichever of us dies first can have Crunchy Granola Suite to exeunt the church (as Shakespeare would say). Deedle dee dee dee dee dee dee dee deedle dee dum.
I loved it when I read long ago but honestly my memory of it is fuzzy so that’s a great prompt to re-read! And rewatch Short Cuts, which I also loved! Thank you Genevieve ❤️
Just beautiful Lo, how narrow those moments between living and what what we don't know ; death.
I've always had one funeral song in mind ~Nancy Sinatras' "Sugartown".
It's pretty, and gently perverse in the context, enough to make you smile if yur feeling sad.
"I've got some troubles but they won't last, so I'll just lay down right here in the grass, and pretty soon all my troubles'll pass ~cause I'm in shu shu shuu, shu shu shuu shushushu shu shuu shushuuu Sugartown ~La lala lala lah la lah ~~~~" https://youtu.be/jMJGtVR5S_Y
I've always loved Sugartown too. The literal sweetness of that song with a side of saucy wink makes for an exquisite exit song. Lee Hazlewood has such a golden way with words doesn't he, I love this one too 'We All Make The Flowers Grow': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fapSQoSHm4I
Oh boy. What a story. I had tears in my eyes reading about the boy and your car. So beautifully written.
I love the idea of funeral songs. I've thought about all kinds of songs for my own funeral (whenever that will be) that have meant so much to me over the years but I just can't get past the Grateful Dead. Nice band name irony, too.
I want my coffin brought in to "Box of Rain".
I want a collection of slides/photos shown to "Ripple".
And I want to have my coffin walked out to "Brokedown Palace".
AND...if my death can in any way be anticipated (illness etc) I want to send all the songs out to everyone in advance so they can learn and sing along on the day.
Thanks so much for the beautiful writing. A completely unexpected Sunday morning treat.
Also, I've always meant to get into the Grateful Dead but was too overwhelmed to begin - all I really know is Sugaree - now I'm going to start with these three.
Yes! I found the whole idea of the Dead so overwhelming before I started listening to them. So I walked into Redeye one day and asked to listen to a record through headphones first (the days before YouTube Spotify etc.) so I could decide before buying. Through pure luck/fate/chance I picked out American Beauty (where all three of the above songs can be found). Box of Rain came on and I knew I was going to love them. I'd never heard anything like it. It's one of those put-the-needle-back-to-the-start-of-the-song-over-and-over kind of songs.
https://youtu.be/KM1dWvtbpyY
What a brilliant song! I'd never heard it, its a showstopper of a funeral song x
That is an interesting one to be sure!
Lo, I’m sure you know of the Raymond Carver story, “A Small Good Thing” and also the twist Robert Altman gives it in his homage to Carver, Short Cuts. (I must watch that again.)
My aunt and I have decided that whichever of us dies first can have Crunchy Granola Suite to exeunt the church (as Shakespeare would say). Deedle dee dee dee dee dee dee dee deedle dee dum.
Love that testimonial!!
I loved it when I read long ago but honestly my memory of it is fuzzy so that’s a great prompt to re-read! And rewatch Short Cuts, which I also loved! Thank you Genevieve ❤️
Wow, beautifully written, Lo. I’m sorry that happened to you. Glad you’re both ok.
Thank you Tiffany - me too!!
Just beautiful Lo, how narrow those moments between living and what what we don't know ; death.
I've always had one funeral song in mind ~Nancy Sinatras' "Sugartown".
It's pretty, and gently perverse in the context, enough to make you smile if yur feeling sad.
"I've got some troubles but they won't last, so I'll just lay down right here in the grass, and pretty soon all my troubles'll pass ~cause I'm in shu shu shuu, shu shu shuu shushushu shu shuu shushuuu Sugartown ~La lala lala lah la lah ~~~~" https://youtu.be/jMJGtVR5S_Y
I've always loved Sugartown too. The literal sweetness of that song with a side of saucy wink makes for an exquisite exit song. Lee Hazlewood has such a golden way with words doesn't he, I love this one too 'We All Make The Flowers Grow': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fapSQoSHm4I
Love your stories. Keep em coming. I always thought I’d have ‘Comfortably Numb ‘ but that would be how I felt not the people left behind 🤣🤣🤣
Oh boy. What a story. I had tears in my eyes reading about the boy and your car. So beautifully written.
I love the idea of funeral songs. I've thought about all kinds of songs for my own funeral (whenever that will be) that have meant so much to me over the years but I just can't get past the Grateful Dead. Nice band name irony, too.
I want my coffin brought in to "Box of Rain".
I want a collection of slides/photos shown to "Ripple".
And I want to have my coffin walked out to "Brokedown Palace".
AND...if my death can in any way be anticipated (illness etc) I want to send all the songs out to everyone in advance so they can learn and sing along on the day.
Thanks so much for the beautiful writing. A completely unexpected Sunday morning treat.
Anthony
God thats gorgeous Anthony - I love a conceptual funeral! A beautiful plan, and thank you for sharing and your kind words.
Also, I've always meant to get into the Grateful Dead but was too overwhelmed to begin - all I really know is Sugaree - now I'm going to start with these three.
Yes! I found the whole idea of the Dead so overwhelming before I started listening to them. So I walked into Redeye one day and asked to listen to a record through headphones first (the days before YouTube Spotify etc.) so I could decide before buying. Through pure luck/fate/chance I picked out American Beauty (where all three of the above songs can be found). Box of Rain came on and I knew I was going to love them. I'd never heard anything like it. It's one of those put-the-needle-back-to-the-start-of-the-song-over-and-over kind of songs.
Serendipity! Love it.