I've been asked to sing at one funeral, which was for the mother of a dear friend of mine. It was about two years ago, and it was by far, the hardest thing I've ever had to do when it comes to being a musician. I was asked to sing a song they requested, which was "Jealous of the Angels." To see the faces and the tears of the family on the other side of the pulpit was very, very difficult. This song was somewhat comforting but at the same time, tremendously sad. The song talks about holding onto the spirit and love of the person that passed and also being jealous that they are away from you and instead in Heaven with the Lord. Here are lines from the first verse: "I'm so numb, I can't feel anymore, prayin' you'd just walk through that door." That's what makes the song so sad to me. I wish the song had replaced those lines with something more comforting. "I'm so numb" is honestly probably true when dealing with loss and grief, but I just wanted to comfort them more instead of singing words that were so blunt and depressing. My experience with singing at this funeral was very emotional. It was very difficult to not cry when I was singing, which makes the piece we listened to in class, "Mother's Lament" very real and I cannot imagine her pain. I just remember hearing how the family would cry more during the choruses and how much I noticed I could hear them crying, and not just see them crying. After that, I did not want to sing at funerals ever again, but I would if asked now, to try to bring the family comfort. Below is the song I sang.
My heart goes out to the family, and I am sorry for anyone who has had to deal with loss or had to sing or play at a funeral.
This past summer, I was asked to sing at a wedding! It was my brother's life-long best friend and his wife getting married and I was SO excited. I was asked to sing two songs, and they were to be played during the lighting of the Unity candle and when they were prayed over by the church. One of the songs was "I Can't Even Walk" and this version of the song was by Cody Johnson, and the other song was "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. My guitar player played with me for these two songs. The church they got married in was beautiful, and the ceremony itself was incredible. I got to practice the songs and hear the sound at the dress rehearsal the night before, so I was very prepared. I sat in the choir section of the church with my guitar player during the entire ceremony, and we could see people coming in before it started, and there were a lot of people at the wedding. I had loved both of the songs prior to the wedding, and they were both so powerful. I really enjoyed "The Blessing" because it was truly like a prayer over the couple and their family. The bride loved the songs too and she was happy with how it all worked out which was awesome. I even got some pictures from the photographer of us playing, so I will insert them here. I love love.
I did shorten "The Blessing" because this version is very long. For "I Can't Even Walk" I raised it up to be in my key. Here they are :) I hope y'all enjoy.
If you want chills, here you go. I have chills every time I hear the bridge.
Here is the recorded version of "I Can't Even Walk". It is SO good.
As a bonus, here is a live version featuring more artists and it is incredible. Check out the fiddle ;)
Jazzy, this is a really beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your own experience of singing to honor your friend's mom. It can be hard to keep composure when offering music at a funeral, but I know that it can be such a blessing to the family and to everyone else there. ...Listening to the Mother's Lament in class was so raw and meaningful. There is so much emotion in all of it.
I have heard The Blessing before, and really liked it! That passage of scripture is really special, and putting it into song brings new things to it. I DID get chills when the bridge came! Thank you for sharing this!
"Jealous of Angels" seemed very special and very meaningful to sing. Your story of singing it was very touching. I really liked the song too, especially how smooth the the melody is. I can picture you singing "I Can't Even Walk" and I am sure it was super fun to sing. I also really like the version with fiddle- I want to learn how to do that.
Jazzy!!! I absolutely love getting to know the times that you've engaged with some special experiences. "Jealous of Angels" really stood out and I am sure that you really made an impact amongst your friend's family. Also, I would love to hear you sing "The Blessing" live, I bet that sounds like an amazing performance. It is kind of wild to know that they decided to basically have a worship moment during their wedding, but I bet that is a moment you will forever cherish! This was an amazing post, can't wait til your next one!!!
Singing at funerals is hard, so I respect your honesty and commitment to continue to play through a difficult experience. I understand your statement about not wanting to play funerals again. There is a specific vulnerability that is hard not to unmask when doing things such as this, which can make it difficult to want to do it again.
Singing and being at funerals in general is hard. I love your commitment to singing for others and wanting to comfort them in those hard times. That song might have been what they needed in that moment. I love the songs from the wedding as well they were so beautiful.
Being at a funeral is hard enough i couldn't imagine performing at one, and i really can't imagine how it must've felt hearing them cry when you were performing. Props to you.
Hey Jazzy, I can really relate to your writing about the funeral. Even though I have played for weddings and funerals, funerals are just so hard. I remember at one funeral the first violinist was a member of the family and had to leave the solo portion because it was too hard for her at the moment and to me that's when I felt all the sadness really hit me. Props to you for singing and keeping it going.
Jazzy, this is a really beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your own experience of singing to honor your friend's mom. It can be hard to keep composure when offering music at a funeral, but I know that it can be such a blessing to the family and to everyone else there. ...Listening to the Mother's Lament in class was so raw and meaningful. There is so much emotion in all of it.
ReplyDeleteI have heard The Blessing before, and really liked it! That passage of scripture is really special, and putting it into song brings new things to it. I DID get chills when the bridge came! Thank you for sharing this!
"Jealous of Angels" seemed very special and very meaningful to sing. Your story of singing it was very touching. I really liked the song too, especially how smooth the the melody is. I can picture you singing "I Can't Even Walk" and I am sure it was super fun to sing. I also really like the version with fiddle- I want to learn how to do that.
ReplyDeleteJazzy!!! I absolutely love getting to know the times that you've engaged with some special experiences. "Jealous of Angels" really stood out and I am sure that you really made an impact amongst your friend's family. Also, I would love to hear you sing "The Blessing" live, I bet that sounds like an amazing performance. It is kind of wild to know that they decided to basically have a worship moment during their wedding, but I bet that is a moment you will forever cherish! This was an amazing post, can't wait til your next one!!!
ReplyDeleteSinging at funerals is hard, so I respect your honesty and commitment to continue to play through a difficult experience. I understand your statement about not wanting to play funerals again. There is a specific vulnerability that is hard not to unmask when doing things such as this, which can make it difficult to want to do it again.
ReplyDeleteSinging and being at funerals in general is hard. I love your commitment to singing for others and wanting to comfort them in those hard times. That song might have been what they needed in that moment. I love the songs from the wedding as well they were so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeing at a funeral is hard enough i couldn't imagine performing at one, and i really can't imagine how it must've felt hearing them cry when you were performing. Props to you.
ReplyDeleteHey Jazzy, I can really relate to your writing about the funeral. Even though I have played for weddings and funerals, funerals are just so hard. I remember at one funeral the first violinist was a member of the family and had to leave the solo portion because it was too hard for her at the moment and to me that's when I felt all the sadness really hit me. Props to you for singing and keeping it going.
ReplyDelete