songs for a requiem

[Natasha (candygirl)]

I know this is a fairly morbid question, but what songs would you put together for a requiem? A friend of mine from college was killed in a car accident a few days ago and I am trying to focus my energies into doing something constructive, so I thought about making a memorial CD for him. I don't know if it will be just for me or if I'll give it to his family or what, but hopefully this will be cathartic. Any song suggestions?

[andrewgd]

Sorry about your loss. I've never been to any funerals for anyone I knew much, just a second-cousin who I only met only a handful of times (we have a very big family).

Anyway, I've always thought that memorials and funerals should be a time to rejoice in the life that person lived, instead of lamenting in the loss. My mother tells me how when my grandmother died, she and her siblings sat around, crying, and telling jokes and funny stories about what they remembered about her.

So perhaps you can get together a list of that persons favorite songs. The ones that made him just cut loose and dance. Ones that meant something to that person. Instead of fitting the songs to the event (ie: memorial) which would me meaningless to the person, make it a cd of songs that person would love, that would put a smile on their face.

So I guess my suggestion is to match the person, not the event. And since I don't know the person, I can't really help out there.

[Nothingman]

I agree, it doesn't make sense to select songs about death, why would you ever want to listen to the CD. I like the idea of songs that the person enjoyed, or that you enjoyed together, or maybe it's a song you hate that they liked, that would put a smile on my face. More general songs would be ones that were playing at the time of the fondest memmories of that person, or songs that remind you of the way they lived their life, they way they made you feel, or just songs that remind you to appreciate your life. I like making period CD's, for example I have CD's that have all my favorite songs from every spring break I went on. I may not like all of those songs now, but because they are together, they take me on a mini vacation each time I listen to them helping to perserve those memmories.

[TomSpeed]

I'm sorry to hear what happened.

I agree with the others. Make the music fit the person and the better times when you knew him or her. That way, when people hear the CD, they will think of happier things. They will also remember how much they miss the person who died. It'll be a good kind of missing though.

[starbug]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I think it's a really good idea to put together a CD, and I agree with others about it being songs that were meaningful to either that person or to both of you together.

I do have one suggestion though, because I think it's a truly beautiful song and I've always thought it was about death. it's a very sad song but I do think it's about a life cut short, so maybe you'd like to know about it. The lyrics are below but I'd really recommend listening to it if you can. It's on the 'New Day at MIdnight Album'.

The Other Side

Meet me on the other side
Meet me on the other side
I'll see you on the other side
See you on the other side

Honey now if I'm honest
I still don't know what love is
Another mirage folds into the haze of time recalled
And now the floodgates cannot hold
All my sorrow all my rage
A tear that falls on every page

Meet me on the other side
Meet me on the other side

Maybe I oughta mention
Was never my intention
To harm you or your kin
Are you so scared to look within
The ghosts are crawling on our skin
We may race and we may run
We'll not undo what has been done
Or change the moment when it's gone

Meet me on the other side
Meet me on the other side
I'll see you on the other side
I'll see you on the other side

I know it would be outrageous
To come on all courageous
And offer you my hand
To pull you up on to dry land
When all I got is sinking sand
The trick ain't worth the time it buys
I'm sick of hearing my own lies
And love's a raven when it flies

Meet me on the other side
Meet me on the other side
I'll see you on the other side

Honey now if I'm honest
I still don't know what love is

[YvBaBy]

Sorry to hear about your loss

maybe Mariah carey feat. Boyz II men - one sweet day
that fits perfectly..i guess

[Jody Barsch*]

Candygirl, I am sorry to hear about your friend. I'm not sure if you're still looking for songs, but one that I have always loved is Simon and Garfunkle's "Bookends". Again, my sympathies, I have been there.