Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harp songs for a Funeral

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

It seems I need to apologize to BostonMoeJoe for my previous  post about 
Don's request for funeral songs.  Despite Don's subsequent  post basically 
confirming my thoughts about what he was looking for, and  despite my thinking I had 
put in enough of a disclaimer about not  giving Bo grief to make sure he knew 
I wasn't singling him out  specifically ......my post came across as though I 
was nitpicking  songs/hymns and or deliberately challenging Bo.  Not so at  
all....I've had nothing but extremely pleasant interactions with him, both  
onlist and off...one of the reasons I chose his post as the one  to respond to.  
Mea culpa.  
 
Others said it better...secular song/hymn/gospel tune choices should  be made 
based on the wishes of the decedent and/or the  family.
 
Don't know why I didn't immediately remember Pat Missin's  incredibly moving 
tribute to Douglas Tate at last year's SPAH of his  rendition of Scarborough 
Fair.  Douglas was, of course  then still alive....but it's another song that 
is very lovely  and most appropriate.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 10
Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2006 01:40:51 EDT
From:  EGS1217@xxxxxxx
Subject: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harp songs for a Funeral  
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: drabluesman@xxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:  <366.74e2379.31e09f63@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain;  charset="US-ASCII"

BostonMoeJo writes:

"The Old Rugged  Cross
Nearer My God to Thee

I'll second Bob  Cohen's  suggestions:
Amazing Grace 
& 
Will the Circle Be   Unbroken
Taps (at the grave site)


On Jul 7, 2006, at  6:52  PM, Don Alexander wrote:

> I have been  ask to  play my  harmonica at a funeral.  Any suggestions  
>  as  to  what songs would be appropriate and that can be played  on a   
>  harmonica (diatonic or chromatic)??   Any suggestions  are  
>  appreciate.  I was  thinking Shenandoah, Red  River Valley,  etc..."

.......  Not to give you grief specifically, BostonMoeJo, but those  first 
two  
Hymns would likely be quite offensive performed at a  Jewish  funeral....or 
any services not specifically  Christian.  Don  requested songs, not hymns 
from 
us....so I  don't think he was  specifically looking for anything overtly  
religious in  nature.  The first one I thought of was my favourite,  Amazing  
Grace....but it is a hymn as well.

Shenandoah is a good song,  in my humble opinion...wistful.   Danny Boy.... 
_Click   here: Danny Boy - Irish Song Lyrics and Music Midi_  
(http://www.ireland-information.com/irishmusic/dannyboy.shtml)    Minstrel 
Boy  (depending on the 
gender of the deceased and/or  military service:  _Click here: The  Minstrel 
Boy_  (http://www.contemplator.com/ireland/minstrel.html)  
I've  always liked Green, Green Grass of Home as well _Click here: V Coy  
Green  Green_ (http://maori2000.com/vcoy67/green.htm)    

(The music and lyrics can be heard and read at the links   provided).

I've just tried playing all of them (including Red River  Valley  and 
Shenandoah) on my Super 64 Chromatic and was able to  segue easily from  one 
to the 
other.  I don't have the  bending skills on diatonics...so  someone else will 
have to  answer Don's question from that  perspective.  

Elizabeth

P.S.  Just thought of another:  one  that's more modern  could be The Wind 
Beneath My Wings, but I  liked Lee Greenwood's version  first.  Haven't tried 
to 
play  it."