Not a prayer - Song & Lyrics
In 2022 I was asked to play a song at a friends funeral. I was looking around for inspiration when I found a great poem, first published in 1934 by Clare Harner with the title "Immortality". Those lines touched me deeply and I thought, this is already a possible song. So, I took the liberty to change them minimally to fit them better into the tune. I named it "Not a prayer". I hope this song may help to sooth the loss and help others in their grief.
https://soundclick.com/r/s8nw5y
...and as always, your feedback, good or bad, is welcome...:-)
Not a prayer
Text: Clare Harner / Music: Stefan Portune
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
For I'm not there; I didn't die.
Comments
-
My mother liked this poem too, and I think it appeals to many people.
That's a nice melody to set it to. It's sombre without being all out mournful, which wouldn't have suited the lyric.
I would have found it tough to perform at a friends funeral!
1 -
Thx Owen, it was. But he was a musician too. I imagine he would've liked it.
0
Howdy, Stranger!