Appropriate acoustic song for celebration of life

[sstaylor58]

Thanks all for the suggestions. My MIL was not a religious person. I’m thinking along the lines of Let it Be...which was one of my first choices, or possibly Time of your Life by Greenday. Again, thank you everyone for your thoughts.

[boombox]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

...Apparently in the UK these days the #1 song for such things is Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, which IMHO is just ODD.

Don't know about that being odd - it's a very uplifting song. Best one I've heard was my uncle, who died in his early 50s: he left instructions for the music when they closed the curtains at the crematorium for his final journey. I nearly cracked up when I heard the first few notes of the music - the Theme from Rowan Atkinson's (aka Mr Bean) Blackadder! It was just so him, even though it went over the heads of some there.

So what I'm saying is pick something which sums up your mother-in-law, not what people expect to hear: it doesn't have to be a sad ballad.

[Pinetreebob]

Depending on the deceased and the people attending the celebration, "The Parting Glass" is a nice song. It could be played at mine and I wouldn't mind:
Oh all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Oh all the comrades that e'er I've had
Are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I've had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

[FThomas]

Originally Posted by sstaylor58

So I am supposed to play a song (or two)at my mother-in-laws celebration of life. She passed away a few weeks ago at age 80. I am having a hard time coming up with one or two appropriate songs (not too maudlin). Any thoughts would be appreciated. My skills are mid range...thanks in advance for the help.

A very simple song, that has a ton of meaning

"10,000 Reasons"

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

'In My Life' - The Beatles

That would be my call as well.

[Alan Carruth]

I'd suggest Bob Franke's 'Thanksgiving Eve': it's one of the finest short songs out there. The chorus goes:
"What can you do with your days but work and hope
Let your dreams bind your work to your play.
What can you do with each moment of your life,
But love 'til you've loved it away. Love 'til you've loved it away."

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Dakotabison

Go Rest High on that Mountain - Vince Gill, played at my grandfathers funeral.

That song was played at my father's funeral, and was one of his favorites. I still cannot bring myself to learn it, even a dozen years later.

Lots of other good suggestions here too. The last celebration of life that we played at, the person in her final days requested "One More Day" by Diamond Rio. I worked up a nice finger style version that worked out quite well. My only regret was that she didn't tell us sooner so I could play it for her personally while she was still with us.

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by Dakotabison

Go Rest High on that Mountain - Vince Gill, played at my grandfathers funeral.

Originally Posted by FThomas

A very simple song, that has a ton of meaning

"10,000 Reasons"

Both of these are good.

[Denny B]

Originally Posted by sstaylor58

Thanks all for the suggestions. My MIL was not a religious person. I’m thinking along the lines of Let it Be...which was one of my first choices, or possibly Time of your Life by Greenday. Again, thank you everyone for your thoughts.

After reading a lot of the suggestions which may not be too well suited for your MIL who wasn't a religious person,(neither am I), your own suggestion of "Time Of Your Life" by Greenday put a smile on my face...

I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm sure you'll honor her memory well with the song(s) you choose...

[Everton FC]

Originally Posted by sstaylor58

Thanks all for the suggestions. My MIL was not a religious person. I’m thinking along the lines of Let it Be...which was one of my first choices, or possibly Time of your Life by Greenday. Again, thank you everyone for your thoughts.

Check out Steve Bell's "Marie". Just to expose yourself to the song.

I'll keep your mother-in-law, in my prayers...

[FThomas]

Originally Posted by sstaylor58

So I am supposed to play a song (or two)at my mother-in-laws celebration of life. She passed away a few weeks ago at age 80. I am having a hard time coming up with one or two appropriate songs (not too maudlin). Any thoughts would be appreciated. My skills are mid range...thanks in advance for the help.

Please let us know what you decided on and how it went. Condolences for your loss. Prayers for you, and family and friends. God Bless!

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by brad2001

I can't do it but if I could "What a Wonderful World" ..

This was the first song that came to my mind as well!

[David M123]

I'm a little late to the thread here, but my first thought was "The Faith of Man" by Bill Staines.

A simple beautiful song that talks about the mysteries of life.

[gitarro]

It should be a song that your late mother in law had loved.

[Paraclete]

Couple of songs that have already been mentioned... In My Life and Over the Rainbow. Did she have a favorite song or a favorite style?