Billy Jenkins is a guitarist, composer, bandleader, performer & humanist funeral officiant in London. These are his funeral wishes:
Simple cremation for me
From Poppy’s.
No funeral.
No music – for when a musician dies, there is nothing but
Silence…..
If anyone wishes to:
Choose just one of my pieces of music.
Play loud.
Really listen and feel the resonation.
When finished, raise a glass and shout three times:
‘Oh YEAH!’
‘Oh YEAH!’
‘Oh YEAH!’
Lyric extract for ‘I Am A Man From Lewisham’
Wherever I die – bring my ash and bone
Back to the place – that I call home
Been north and south
And east and west
I know the place – that I love best
‘Cause I’m a man – from Lewisham
Oh yes I am – From Lewisham.
As reviewed in the Daily Mirror:
‘One of the great unclassifiable forces in the British underground. His ever-fascinating career takes a joyful turn on an album of pubsy knees-ups, blues growling and deliriously rude brass. He also conducts humanist funerals. Versatile!’
Here is a song he wrote.
I still got some teeth
Grey matter underneath
So hold the funeral wreath
I Ain’t Going Yet
I can still walk
And boy how I can talk
Get that wine uncorked
I Ain’t Going Yet
Where’s the time gone?
I don’t know
I just arrived now it’s time to go
Seems that I can’t have no more
Death is knockin’ at my door
Excuse me if I ask it
But I don’t need no casket
You don’t seem to grasp it
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
Just one last request
Before I’m laid to rest
There’s something I must stress
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
I Ain’t Going Yet
OH NO!
[wadya mean OH NO!? You mean OH YEAH!!]
© 2000 Billy Jenkins PRS/MCPS
from the CD ‘LIFE’ VOTP VOCD 023
I am so honoured Billy!
Good Funeral Guide Blog – can we have more of these articles? It’s fascinating to hear about celebrants and what their funerals would look like.