Jack Rafferty’s Funeral Songs

From time to time, we present questions to our fellow taint ticklers. Recently, we asked: “What are five to ten songs that you would like to have played at your funeral?” There are numerous ways to approach this question. For music addicts, it is hard to limit the number of songs. Furthermore, the list is likely to change many times, as we remember additional songs and hear new music. Nevertheless, it is worth going through this process, as it is helpful to plan, and fun to share various musical connections. Below is Jack Rafferty’s list.  

By Jack Rafferty

Songs to be played at funeral:

Dubliners, “The Auld Triangle.”

Blind Willie Johnson, “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.”

The Clancy Brothers, “The Parting Glass.”

John Prine, “Please Don’t Bury Me.”

Led Zeppelin, “Over the Hills and Far Away.”

Leonard Cohen, “Leaving the Table.”

The White Stripes, “One More Cup of Coffee” (Bob Dylan Cover).

Dave Van Ronk, “Hang Me, Oh Hang Me.”

Townes Van Zandt, “Sky Blue.”

Blaze Foley, “If I Could Only Fly.”

Songs to be played at the gathering following the funeral:

Luke Kelly, “Raglan Road.”

John Prine, “Summer’s End.”

Dolly Parton, “Early Morning Breeze.”

Victor Jara, “El Cigarrito.”

Harry McClintock, “Big Rock Candy Mountain.”

Johnny Cash, “Sam Hall.”

Johnny Cash, “Ain’t No Grave.”

Javier Solis, “El Adios del Soldado.”

Willie Nelson, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”

Bob Dyaln, “Song to Woody.”

Tom Paxton, “I Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound..”

Phil Ochs, “When I’m Gone.”

Manuel Agujetas, “Siguiriyas.”

Carmen Amaya, “Siguiriya Gitana.”

Son House, “Grinnin in Your Face.”

Billie Holiday, “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

Zoltan Kodaly, “Sonata for Cello in B Minor.”

The Wolfe Tones, “Come Out Ye Black and Tans.”

Lou Reed, “Perfect Day.”

Iggy Pop, “The Passenger.”

The Beatles, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Black Sabbath, “N.I.B.”

AC/DC, “Highway to Hell.”

Ennio Morricone, “Death Rides a Horse and Ecstasy of Gold.”

David Bowie, “Lazarus.”

The Dubliners, “Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile.”

“El Deguello.”

Marty Robbins, “They’re Hangin Me Tonight.”

Zamfir, “The Lonely Shepherd.”

Lisa O’Neill, “Rock the Machine.”

Lankum, “Cold Old Fire.”

John Moreland, “Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars.”

Gillian Welch, “I’m Not Afraid to Die.”

Jake Xerces Fussell, “Billy Button.”

The Dubliners, “O’Carolan's Devotion.”

Colter Wall, “Codeine Dream.”

Planxty, “As I Roved Out.”

Robert Johnson, “Cross Road Blues.”

Patti Smith, “Redondo Beach.”

Lankum, “The Wild Rover.”