Funeral liturgy for Mom- First Song of Isaiah

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I hope I’m posting this in the right place. Let me first assure you my Mom is fine, but it is very disconcerting to speak to her about her funeral plans.

She just called me and revealed to me what she is thinking regarding the liturgy, so I need the help of you-all to track something down.

Let me share with you how this conversation went: Mom told me what songs she wants: Here I am, Lord, for the Processional; On Eagle’s Wings for the Offertory, Ave Maria for Communion, and Be not Afraid for Recessional.

I was actually a bit shocked. Now, I do like the above songs (don’t throw things at me), but when I think of my Mom, I think the old Latin classics make more sense. I learned more from her than from “Spirit of Vatican II” “catechists”, and I grew up hearing about the nuns who taught her and the Latin Mass. When I think of what’s appropriate for Mom, I think of Classics, not New Age.

So I brought this to her attention. I suggested “Tantuum Ergo” (sang a little for her), Panis Angelicus, O Lord I am not Worthy, etc. She did agree that she likes this music better but “we don’t have the music for this”.

I told her that if she wanted these things, to be sure to write it down and I will make sure it gets done if I have to do it myself. (I am a decent singer and honestly, if I had to pay for voice lessons to get in shape for Mom’s funeral, I would do it…she deserves the best).

Mom did agree that she was “caving” (my word), and does want the Latin and other gregorian chant.

But she did make one special request. When I was a cantor/flautist in high school, she said I always played a certain song, and I have NO IDEA what she’s talking about.

She said it’s the first song of Isaiah, but I don’t think that’s the name. I tried 2 that came to mind, but neither were what she was thinking of.

Does anyone have any idea what she could be talking about?

If you know this song, please post the link. Also, since the topic came up, can anyone share any liturgy issues regarding funerals?

Mom is not terminally ill but her health is not good in general so while I believe she has years left to live, none of us knows the day/hour. Maybe this is the time to ask questions as she is revealing her plans.

But please no condolences…Mom is OK! Just planning!
 
You might ask her if she is perhaps thinking of Isaiah 49 by Cary Landry (1975):

I will never forget you, my people;
I have carved you on the palm of my hand.
I will never forget you;
I will not leave you orphaned,
I will never forget my own.
Does a mother forget her baby?
Or a woman the child within her womb?
Yet even if these forget,
yes, even if these forget,
I will never forget my own.
As for other possiblities for the funeral liturgy:
In Paradisum for the incensing at the end;
Psalm 21 between the reading and the Gospel.
 
Too funny, I thought I was the only one who did this. My mom is 88 and in perfect health, and yet I have all of the music and most of the liturgy picked out and marked in a misalette(sp) and honestly Here I am, Lord is one of them. New Age? I’m sorry I think it is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. My aunt was a nun and at her funeral we sang lots of “new age” songs.It was the most beautiful celebration of a christian life I had ever had the opportunity to be involved in.( off subject but they really are buried in a pine box!!)
 
Is it Hosea? The refrain is “Long have I waited for your coming home to Me and living deeply our new life.” It’s a beautiful song, IMO.
 
There is a setting called “The First Song of Isaiah” by Jack Noble White. It’s in the key of C and was written in the late 70s. There are not very many songs that adeptly pull together organ, piano, and a full choir, but this is one of them.
 
I remember our choir sang it once way back in the 80s. It was sung for a diocesan event so I would suspect that perhaps GIA was the publisher. If I could remember the lyrics, I’d probably remember the melody. But the name is familiar to me.
 
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brotherhrolf:
I remember our choir sang it once way back in the 80s. It was sung for a diocesan event so I would suspect that perhaps GIA was the publisher. If I could remember the lyrics, I’d probably remember the melody. But the name is familiar to me.
Click to expand...
Is this it?

C Em Am (G bass)
“Surely it is God who saves me:
F G
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
C Am F C
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
F G C
and he will be my Savior.”

rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/01-09-16.htm#isaiah12
 
Bingo! I recognized it from the first verse! Yep,:tiphat: that’s it.! Not to be disrespectful to the OP, but when I sang in our cathedral’s choir, we dreaded signing sacro-pop like this. Me, I’d go for the In Paradisum from Faure’s Requiem - Ethereal and longing at the same time.
 
40.png
axolotl:
Is this it?

C Em Am (G bass)
“Surely it is God who saves me:
F G
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
C Am F C
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
F G C
and he will be my Savior.”

rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/01-09-16.htm#isaiah12
Click to expand...
I suggested this to Mom, trying to figure out what she was thinking, but this one is NOT it. I LOVE this song and looked forward each year to it when we “performed” this music.

Great effort, it was the first one that came to MY mind, but no.

My Mom told me I used to play my flute to accompany the song when the choir did it, but I have no recollection of the song in question. I remember well the stuff I did a lot of. But Mom can’t remember the words.

I suggested she look through the Book of Isiaah and see if she comes across the words to the song. Maybe if she can give me the words, I can find the music for her.

Thank you all for your help…keep it coming! I’m not ready for Mom to go, and likely she wont’ for a long time, but just the same, if we can get this part wrapped up at least that’ll be one thing not to worry about when the time comes.
 
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maryj:
Too funny, I thought I was the only one who did this. My mom is 88 and in perfect health, and yet I have all of the music and most of the liturgy picked out and marked in a misalette(sp) and honestly Here I am, Lord is one of them. New Age? I’m sorry I think it is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. My aunt was a nun and at her funeral we sang lots of “new age” songs.It was the most beautiful celebration of a christian life I had ever had the opportunity to be involved in.( off subject but they really are buried in a pine box!!)
Click to expand...
“Here I am Lord” never fails to make me cry. When I was non-practicing, and occasionally was drawn to Mass, invariably I would hear this very song. Amazing how the Lord works. Also, I like the song as well, I sang it at my cousin’s wedding (managed to not cry that time). I called it “New Age” because it is NOT Gregorian or Ambrosian chant, but I agree in that I see it as valid liturgical music. Many on these boards disagree with us.

As far as this goes, I’m not the one instigating the funeral music choices…Mom called me the other day and brought it up. I told her I’d do some research and see if we can find what she is looking for.
 
No, JC. I really think this is the one because as a chorister in a cathedral choir we did have the instruments, a grand piano, and the organ accompanying us. I’ll go see if Amazon has it recorded.
 
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brotherhrolf:
Bingo! I recognized it from the first verse! Yep,:tiphat: that’s it.! Not to be disrespectful to the OP, but when I sang in our cathedral’s choir, we dreaded signing sacro-pop like this. Me, I’d go for the In Paradisum from Faure’s Requiem - Ethereal and longing at the same time.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry, I LOVED this song, but keep in mind I was in Jr. High/High school, and it was a nice change, was spirited, etc.

I think if I heard it again, unless done badly, I’d still love the song. As long as it’s not used for communion meditation.
 
It seems, to me, however, that the melody is the same but the tempo is far slower than we sang it.
 
frommi said:
There is a setting called “The First Song of Isaiah” by Jack Noble White. It’s in the key of C and was written in the late 70s. There are not very many songs that adeptly pull together organ, piano, and a full choir, but this is one of them.
Click to expand...
I know I am belated in replying, but just joined the forum, due to an inquiry about the White “Song of Isaiah”, and it is a great piece, simple but very effective. As I get my electronic legs stabilized,and negotiate and understand this forum, I hope to post more. I’ve been using that piece for over 30 years, now into my third parish using it.
 
About three years ago (today), we had the funeral Mass for my beloved paternal grandmother. It fell to me to arrange the Mass. Because my father’s half-sister botched my stepgrandfather’s funeral, I vowed that this would not happen to grandma.

My parochial vicar drove up from Laredo to celebrate the Mass. I haggled with the organist at my grandma’s Austin parish, but, I stood my ground. The woman suggested Eagle’s Wings, Here I Am and Hail Mary/Gentle Woman. I nixed those.

This is what we had, instead:

Attende Domine (Have Mercy on Us O, Lord, Graciously Hear Us)
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
We Have Been Told
In Paradisium
Salve Regina

Something the OP should consider is to have a couple of extra songs on stand-by. Should the funeral happen during Lent, it would not be appropriate to sing Alleluia, Sing to Jesus or the Strife is O’er. Furthermore, you would also need to have a Lenten Gospel Acclamation. My grandma’s funeral occurred right before Holy Week.
 
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