SOTU 584 - Death and Life (Funeral Farewells)

[kolibri]

Slow and melancholy Finnish song for my funeral (but like Granny Weatherwax from Discworld would say/spell: "I Ate'nt Dead Yet"):
Instrumental version of "Nocturne", based on a poem by Eino Leino. Music by Perttu Hietanen and Taisto Wesslin. Ukulele arrangement by Markus Rantanen.

 

[CeeJay]

Slow and melancholy Finnish song for my funeral (but like Granny Weatherwax from Discworld would say/spell: "I Ate'nt Dead Yet"):

Woohoo another Discworld Fan !! !!

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

Today, I decided to try baby bari strings for the first time on my (for sale) Ono Tenor with cedar top and Bolivian rosewood body.

I had the chord progression to "I Shall Be Released" in mind, so I jammed a bit with different strumming and fingerstyle patterns and decided to record it for a sound sample / SOTU entry. My camera time ran out, but I was slowing to a fade anyways... no big loss.

After listening with headphones, I'm thinking more and more about keeping this one! It sounds great in baby baritone, especially with headphones! I also realized I shoulda filed my nails first, but I was inspired by an old "One Take" season that I was recently peeking back on. So... Send it!!

 

[DelGriff]

Thanks for hosting, Chris - I get the impression you’re really enjoying it!

Here’s a sad one from Elvis - not one of his most famous songs, but I heard it as a kid and always loved it. I added some synth bass, pads, drums and a touch of vocal harmony in the choruses.

 

[wee_ginga_yin]

Let's have a song celebrating life... and the wonders that are free for all of us to enjoy.

 

[wee_ginga_yin]

I have often wondered if this song was an epitaph that Randy wrote for himself... that he knew his season was coming to an end.

Summer’s End ©2018 Randy McSorley

[G] [Cm] [G] [Am] [D7]
When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

When the [G] moon on the hor-[Dm] izon
Shines on [C] fields of orange and [Cm] gold
When O- [G] rion’s stars are [Dm] risin’
There are [C] tales that should be [Cm] told
Of an-[G] other warm season [Cm] coming to a [G] close

So [C] many brilliant days be-[G] hind
So [Cm] many wondrous times a-[Am] head [D7]

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

If you [G] think of sunny [Dm] meadows
All the [C] joy and all the [Cm] cheer
And the [G] sand that’s between your [Dm] toes
There is [C] nothing you can [Cm] fear
As an-[G] other cold season’s [Cm] going to be [G] here

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

I have often wondered if this song was an epitaph that Randy wrote for himself... that he knew his season was coming to an end.

Summer’s End ©2018 Randy McSorley

[G] [Cm] [G] [Am] [D7]
When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

When the [G] moon on the hor-[Dm] izon
Shines on [C] fields of orange and [Cm] gold
When O- [G] rion’s stars are [Dm] risin’
There are [C] tales that should be [Cm] told
Of an-[G] other warm season [Cm] coming to a [G] close

So [C] many brilliant days be-[G] hind
So [Cm] many wondrous times a-[Am] head [D7]

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

If you [G] think of sunny [Dm] meadows
All the [C] joy and all the [Cm] cheer
And the [G] sand that’s between your [Dm] toes
There is [C] nothing you can [Cm] fear
As an-[G] other cold season’s [Cm] going to be [G] here

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close

Very nice! This woulda been a perfect post for Sunday 11:59 HST. I've been trying to keep the playlist chronological by post time, but I might put this one at the end once the season's over.

 

[Barbablanca]

Here is the Second (and last) of my songs for this season. As I said in the intro to the first song, war is where death and life meet head on. This song deals with the Battle of the Ebre (July-November 1938). The song is dedicated to the young conscripts who were called up especially for this battle. The Republic was so desperate at this point that many were as young as 17 and received only the most basic of training. Their youth led to them being dubbed "the baby's bottle conscripts" by the older, more battle-hardened soldiers and brigadistas.

 

[hands_on_lanzon]

I have often wondered if this song was an epitaph that Randy wrote for himself... that he knew his season was coming to an end.

Summer’s End ©2018 Randy McSorley

[G] [Cm] [G] [Am] [D7]
When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

When the [G] moon on the hor-[Dm] izon
Shines on [C] fields of orange and [Cm] gold
When O- [G] rion’s stars are [Dm] risin’
There are [C] tales that should be [Cm] told
Of an-[G] other warm season [Cm] coming to a [G] close

So [C] many brilliant days be-[G] hind
So [Cm] many wondrous times a-[Am] head [D7]

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close [Am] [D7]

If you [G] think of sunny [Dm] meadows
All the [C] joy and all the [Cm] cheer
And the [G] sand that’s between your [Dm] toes
There is [C] nothing you can [Cm] fear
As an-[G] other cold season’s [Cm] going to be [G] here

When the [G] days are growing [Dm] shorter
And the [C] sun is hanging [Cm] low
When the [G] birds take flight for warmer [Dm] quarters
I [C] watch and so I [Cm] know
That an-[G] other warm season’s [Cm] coming to a [G] close

Ok... I obviously don't know what I have gotten myself into by joining the Seasons. You folks are truly amazing and making me super emotional this morning! Being here on UU for only 1.5yrs, I just found out about the Seasons and I'm just starting to dip my toes into its rich history. This song from Randy blew my mind, which I've already had to humpty dumpty together many times, listening to all the recent Seasonista entries.

It definitely hit heavier, knowing that he had passed. Then I came across the thread in 2019 where it was announced here on the forum and saw all the love that UU'ers had for him. I navigated to his YouTube channel and was again blown away by his entries and story.

He is such a great spirit!

I had to add this fitting song to the thread. It's a bit strange, having never interacted with him or heard his music until today, but I feel this might've been one of his entries for this season. I have a strong feeling he's "there, where he hasn't got a care"!

 

[TCK]

Got one done!

 

[jtsteam]

What do you do when you're thousands of miles from home and armed with a ukulele? You look up other Seasonistas, that's what! I told Jim I was nearby, and he said "Come on up to the house" which is coincidentally the title of this Tom Waits song that I think fits this season very nicely. So, a solid ten minutes or so of rehearsal later, here you go. In this take, Jim remembered which lines were his, and I nearly did. Close enough.

Anyway, I had a lovely day in Port Hope. Thanks to Jim and Maggie for your hospitality, it was great to meet you in person!

 

[wee_ginga_yin]

It is a strange thing that grandchildren often have a better relationship with their grandparents than with their own parents... and a childs first experience of death will most likely be that of a grandparent. I fully concur with this song and can safely say that grandkids are a joy.

Grandad takes me fishin’ on a Saturday,
Me and Grandad’s mates.
Grandad brings me maggots, pink and yellow ones,
And me hooks and weights.
We fish all day come rain or shine
On the banks of the old canal;
Sometimes we say nowt,
Other days we chat away,
‘Cos me and Grandad’s pals.
Grandad takes me walking with his little dog,
He calls her Gyp.
We go to the pub and Grandad has a pint of grog,
Gives me a sip.
He says he drinks beer ‘cos his legs are stiff
And it oils them and makes them supple;
Sometimes I think it works too well
‘Cos it doesn’t half make him wobble.
Grandad he comes round and sits with me
When Mam and Dad go out,
We play snakes and ladders and Monopoly.
Grandad has a bottle of stout.
He lets me stay up till half-past ten,
And if me Mam asks him what time
He made me go upstairs to bed,
Grandad says half-past nine.
Grandad tells me all about the things
He did when he was a lad,
Grandad tells me all about the war
And when times were bad.
Sometimes he talks about my Gran,
And then he looks far away;
He says she’s been gone a long, long time
But he’ll see her again some day.
Grandad shows me tricks with pennies,
Grandad flies my kites,
Grandad brings me fish and chips
Home from the pub at night.
And if ever I grow up and I get old
And my kids they have kids,
Then I’ll take ’em fishin’ and do all the other things
That my Grandad did.

 

[Yukio]

Lots of cool stuff to catch up on in this season. Thank you! I took this song suggestion from your Spotify playlist.

 

[YooperGirl]

Greetings current and aspiring Seasonistas!

It's my first time hosting, so please bear with me as I try to keep up with entries, playlists, comments, etc. Please feel free to ping or PM me with comments, questions, or tips on how I might improve!

Theme
One of my go to Spotify playlists is one I put together called Death and Life. I thought of it when a well known tattooer passed away and asked to play Jerry Garcia's version of "I Shall Be Released" at his funeral. I've always thought of my main funeral proceedings vibe being Normal Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky", but there are many other great songs that fit the bill. I realized they don't have to be songs just about death and dying. They should also be songs in celebration of life or perhaps a message you'd like to pass on to those listening to either help their mourning, drive them deeper into mourning, or to live their life in a meaningful way. Maybe it's just a song you love or something to make folks laugh.

@Voran posted this one a little while ago:

I want this played at my funeral

I am a giant child, I know. Never grew out of it.

forum.ukuleleunderground.com

Here's my opening entry, recorded earlier this week.
It was perfect timing, with the beautiful sakura blossoms reminding us of the transient and fleeting nature of this life!

The Rules

• No limit to number of entries. I'll do my best to keep up, but play away and free!
• Collaborations and multi-tracking are welcomed.
• No videos should be posted before 12:00 AM Hawaii time, Sunday 4/23/2023.
• Season ends at 11:59:59 PM Hawaii time next Sunday, 4/30/2023.

The Prize
I'll select three (3) of my favorites based on my gut feel for lyrics, meaning, vibe... something I might add to my personal playlist or that I really feel the Seasonista might add to theirs. The winners will receive a hand-painted postcard inspired by the song.

Here are some example postcards I painted for some friends back in the 2020 lockdown madness:

View attachment 151245

I hope this week provides a little memento mori. Enjoy!

Playlist

I see a few good ones on your Spotify list. I’m going to see if I can get one recorded quickly!

 

[bobjking]

Hey, Chris

So, I said I'd hopefully bring a song celebrating life but it turns out that I just prefer songs about death!

Here's a Gillian Welch tune for y'all...

 

[cua94]

I didn't see this one here so I thought I would a quick bring:

 

[AlanDP]

One more original. I started this one a few years ago after listening to an audiobook of The Memoires of Ulysses S. Grant. I dug it out and worked on it more today. Overdubbed ubass and harmonica, and harmony vocals.

I had fame, good Lord, everybody knew my name
And I made some money before I was in the political game
I never wanted to see so many young men die
Lincoln said I was the only one could do it, Lord knows I tried

And the money didn't pay for food or clothes
But it paid for the whiskey, how many times God only knows
Now I've got to leave them something and that's why
I'll write until I'm finished, or I'll write until I die

Lord, the pain is bad, can't hardly eat or drink
But the drugs the doctor gave me makes me so I can't even think
So I'll choke down some water and take up my pen
Sit here in the sunshine and write a little more again

They said I should write the story of my life
They said they'd pay good money, it would help my kids and my wife
Nothing left to give them but the memories I write
And I'll write until I'm finished, or I'll write until I die

 

[Mezcalero]

Thanks so much for hosting Chris! I wish I had more time to contribute and host. I looked through your spotify playlist and saw a song i'd been working on with one of the groups I play with. No Hard Feelings by the Avett Brothers. Such a beautiful tune. We're still working it out, but wanted to share our version. Cheers ~ kev

 

[emba]

My song this week is “A Satisfied Mind”, though I feel like a hypocrite since my latest foray into the Marketplace netted me the nice new-to-me uke in the video and proved that as far as UAS goes, my mind is not satisfied.

The song was written by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes in 1954, but covered by many over the years, including Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joan Baez. There is accompaniment by my teenage daughter on guitar, but she is camera shy, so only the very corner of the guitar is visible in the video. I was trying a new picking pattern, and it needs a bit of practice, but Sunday has come so you get what you get.

 

[ksiegel]

Greetings current and aspiring Seasonistas!

It's my first time hosting, so please bear with me as I try to keep up with entries, playlists, comments, etc. Please feel free to ping or PM me with comments, questions, or tips on how I might improve!

Theme
One of my go to Spotify playlists is one I put together called Death and Life. I thought of it when a well known tattooer passed away and asked to play Jerry Garcia's version of "I Shall Be Released" at his funeral. I've always thought of my main funeral proceedings vibe being Normal Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky", but there are many other great songs that fit the bill. I realized they don't have to be songs just about death and dying. They should also be songs in celebration of life or perhaps a message you'd like to pass on to those listening to either help their mourning, drive them deeper into mourning, or to live their life in a meaningful way. Maybe it's just a song you love or something to make folks laugh.

@Voran posted this one a little while ago:

I want this played at my funeral

I am a giant child, I know. Never grew out of it.

forum.ukuleleunderground.com

Here's my opening entry, recorded earlier this week.
It was perfect timing, with the beautiful sakura blossoms reminding us of the transient and fleeting nature of this life!

The Rules

• No limit to number of entries. I'll do my best to keep up, but play away and free!
• Collaborations and multi-tracking are welcomed.
• No videos should be posted before 12:00 AM Hawaii time, Sunday 4/23/2023.
• Season ends at 11:59:59 PM Hawaii time next Sunday, 4/30/2023.

The Prize
I'll select three (3) of my favorites based on my gut feel for lyrics, meaning, vibe... something I might add to my personal playlist or that I really feel the Seasonista might add to theirs. The winners will receive a hand-painted postcard inspired by the song.




I hope this week provides a little memento mori. Enjoy!

Playlist

Finally, I get to add one.

The Garden Song, by David Mallett (Used by Permission!)
The first song I performed in public on Ukulele, on September 9, 2011 - at my Father-in-Law's memorial service.

He was not only a phenomenal gardener, but he gave me my first ukulele, an old harmony Soprano.

I've recorded this for UU and on YouTube a few times, but here it is again. Enjoy.