Appropriate Song To Play

crank

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I am going to volunteer to play a song at a ski club friend's memorial service. she passed a few months ago, not from Covid, but after a 10+ year battle with breast cancer. The service invitations says "In celebration of a life well lived.

What song should I play? Happy or sad? Hopeful or mournful? Singing or no?

Or B
 

dreadnut

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Just the chorus of "You Are My Sunshine."

"I'll Fly Away."

And by all means, encourage people to sing along!
 

ruedi

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Crank, sorry for your loss. It's an honour to play a song at someone's funeral, and at the same time not an easy task...

My two spontaneous suggestions:

Over The Rainbow, this version here performed by the wonderfull Eva Cassidy:




And "Unfinished Life" - Kate Wolf

 

Bill Ashton

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Yes, Over The Rainbow!

So sorry for you to be in this awful position, meaning the loss of your friend, but I am sure you will do
an excellent job in her memory (y)
 

richardp69

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I've played for a few friends at their funerals. It's tough for sure but as stated earlier, also a real honor. I've always had good feedback on "We'll Meet Again". Both the Byrds, Johnny Cash and many, many others sang/played versions of that song. I think it's superb.
 

walrus

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I've played for a few friends at their funerals. It's tough for sure but as stated earlier, also a real honor. I've always had good feedback on "We'll Meet Again". Both the Byrds, Johnny Cash and many, many others sang/played versions of that song. I think it's superb.

This is an excellent choice. My condolences.

walrus
 

dbirchett

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Leonard Cohen's Haleluiah has become associated with someone passing. Even in instrumental form, it is hauntingly beautiful.
 

GuildFS4612CE

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here's a recent solo version that might be easier for you to learn quickly.

 

dreadnut

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All nice songs.

Two more that come to mind:

Wayfaring Stranger

Can The Circle Be Unbroken
 

crank

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Thank you all for some very good and thoughtful ideas for songs.
I head from my friend's SO who requested Rocky Mountain High. It was er favorite song - we are skiers after all and Amazing Grace.

For Amazing Grace I am planning to do as an instrumental based on Tommy Emmanuel's version.

For Rocky Mountain High I am going to have to do a lot of singing practice and hopefully find a key I can sing it in.
 

geoguy

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It sounds as though crank is all set re: song choices, but here's two more tunes that might be worthy of consideration for another memorial service:

Parting Glass (the Wailin' Jennys' a cappella version might be best known, but I'm fond of this one by Freddie White):



Also Auld Lang Syne, as arranged by Pete Huttlinger:

 
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