Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some suggestions for some suitable tunes for a memorial mass. It’s my uncle’s funeral who was also my godfather, so when I was asked to play a tune during the service I felt obligated. We’re gonna have an Irish priest and the whole shabang, so the pipes will fit in nicely. Well, any suggestions are very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
Lord Lovat’s Lament. Sweet tune that one. If you’d like, I could record it and send an mp3 via email to you.
That’d be great Joseph, I’d really appreciate that. Thanks. 
I’ll get on it first thing in the morning. It’s time for bed…
I like playing Flowers of the Forest on my pipes once in a while. I got it from a Kathryn Tickell recording a few years back, and I think it’s different from what I’ve heard played on Highland pipes.
Other suggestions off the top of my head: Inisheer, The Belltable, Farewell To Govan (a la O’Flynn).
Did your uncle/godfather have any favourite tunes himself? That might provide something appropriate to the occassion. (I thought the godfather preferred Italian music, but I could be wrong …).
djm
I don’t think he listened to Irish music at all. This is just something the rest of my family wants me to do, so I will. Thanks everyone for their suggestions thusfar.
Actually, Italian folk music goes very well on UPs. The Italians have several types of bagpipes themselves.
You don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to ITM. What I meant was, did your uncle have a favourite tune that others at the funeral would have been aware of. They may appreciate you including it, regardless of whether its ITM or not. Funerals are for the survivors, not the dead.
djm
Hey Mikey,
I just sent an MP3 of Lord LOvat’s Lament to the email address listed below. I hope it comes through all right. My sympathies regarding your loss.
Hi Joseph…any chance you would send it to me as well if it’s not too much trouble?
It’s on its way… I just gotta edit out the bits where I am talking first…
and to me too, pleeeeeease?
thanks a lot
carel
OK Droner, it is ready to go… but I will need your email address first. I do not have a website so I have no means of hosting it. Send me a PM with said address.
i do more funerals than weddings, and have done in the past
caoineadh cú chulainn as a meditative
amazing grace
the minstrel boy
nearer my god to thee
boolavogue
the parting glass (air) bridged to mo ghíle mear
danny boy
she moved thru the fair
bog braon
salley gardens
sí beg sí mór
grace
the town i loved so well
blind mary
last rose of summer
where love is found/psalm 42/as the deer longs (alternate titles)
grace and caoineadh cú chulainn i reserve for family affairs where i’m not getting paid, for fear of winding up in some copyright related issue. the rest are fair game, tho…
some churches don’t want any secular music, so i’ve had to label sufficiently hymn-sounding songs such as boolavogue ‘irish rebel hymns’ on occasion 
Mikey,
Good luck. I think it’s an awesome and honorable opportunity. Let us know how it goes.
By the way, how in the world do you pronounce “caoineadh”?
KEENuh it mean lament. my guess is, shares an indoeuropean language root with the verb to keen (wailing and crying - eg “keening women”-paid mourners)
Caoineadh Cú Chulainn means The Lament for Cuchulainn (ancient irish achilles figure). it is the UP solo song from riverdance.
Cool! That was actually how I was hearing it in my head, though I wanted to double check. thanks a lot.
Mike,
Do yourself a favor and ask the church organist for an old hymnal. You’ll find a lot of tunes that work well on pipes:
Sent forth by God’s Blessing(The Ash Grove)
Onward to the Kingdom(Marrie’s Wedding)
For All the Saints
Where Charity and Love Prevail
Lord You have Come to the Seashore
Do not be Afraid(PUKE!)
Some are great; some are real dogs but people know and will sing along with them.
Marc