Every other verse (in quotes) is the
actual song by Procol Harum
Surrounded by a symphony of sound
An organ peels Bach’s tune profound
And Chaucer’s Miller tells his Tale
In a Whiter Shade of Pale
“We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels across the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more”
The music by J. S. Bach
The words by Procol Harum wrought
Windows to the soul my friends
My funeral dirge when my life ends
“The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray”
Procol Harum had this one hit
The group name is one of wit
They were in one glorious fog
They’re named after their drug dealer’s dog
“And so it was a lady
As the Miller told his Tale
Let her face at first just ghostly
Turn a whiter shade of pale”
Poppies in the flame, my boys
So no more gold record joys
You have only yourselves to blame
For one hit only in your game
“He said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
That I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be”
When my eyes are closed and I am dead
I’ve always wanted nothing said
Rather I want this played instead
It is the music that fills my head
“One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who are leaving for the coast
And I know my eyes were open
They might just as well have been closed”
Without me I know you’re empty!
This song here rewards your sympathy
This I'll have you understand
The high point of my funeral plan
“So it was a lady
As the Miller told his Tale
Let her face at first just ghostly
Turn a whiter shade of pale”
--Ellis
Author notes
This song will be the highlight of my funeral.
See also - allpoetry.com/poem/1748048
Written October 12th, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 22 of 22
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Excellent...
...Ellis lad, innovative too.
Did you write it or that daft cat of yrs?
Robin.
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I am NOT daft
Actually Ellis wrote this one, cause it's about his demise. I've written all the others.
Tiki Cat
Buy TIKI'S GOURMET CAT FOOD
"Too Good For Humans"
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I have to admit that being a sixties child i was drawn to this one by the title ( I did a Parody of it ) Love the way it took me back to those days and my attempt to grow a Procal Harum mustache. Get piece that blended well with the songs lyrics
As for my own selection for a funeral piece I am going for cremation so The Crazy World of Arthur Browns."Fire" will do for me
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this was very interesting ellis..i liked your takeon the song... peace to you and very good writes..... shzoosy
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This was such a fun, and creative read!
I adored this piece!
I'm so glad I clicked on this, refreshing write, that flowed perfectly!
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what a cool uidea to conjoin the song lyrics and the poem.. and it turned out so well.. i loved this piece, clever, slightly dark and a little bit humerous, no.. me thinks so anyways.. great write..
=) ~toni~ -
I love the song and this sent me off down memory lane. great stuff
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I love this song, A Whiter Shade of Pale. This brought back memories.
Excellently written. There is a lot of skill in blending two separate things together as you have. You have done it very well. -
My first thought was that you played and a band and have definitely lived that side of life which is'nt the easiest. Good writing.
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You are so good. I know Procol Harum's song. I love it. You have cleverly played along with it. Now I am going to go play my tape of them just to hear A Whiter Shade Of Pale. Cool write.
God's touch
Jeri -
You got everything plan out don't you. I like the song or the lyric of this poem. I enjoyed this piece very much.
Wish you the best
snow
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wow.. i really like this it flowed SOOO SOO nicely! great write and i love the catch line of ' a whiter shade of pale' very deep indead... thanx for recommending it to me... great write
<3love -
Excellent
Ellis my dear friend You brought so many memories back with this one I love it. I was in the British army at the time, and had just returned from a little trouble spot called Aden.
I remember all us lads growing Procal moustache's, man what a sight our unit looked.
They did have another minor hit Homburg in Britain.
A classic song, and a wonderful poem of yours I love the way you interspersed it with the original work. Great stuff my Friend,
Going to be some funeral if you ask the congregation to dress in the dress of the day.Clearly not for you but what a way to go
As I said great piece my friend and a really enjoyable read -
YEAH good one Ellis, never understood this song bit of a mystery to me a sixties classic though.Got me thinking what would i have at my own funeral.
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Bazza and all of you!
Bach is my second favorite composer (after Tchaikovsky) and this song was at its peak right when I returned to my country (the U.S.) from the Viet Nam War (which I personally strongly opposed as I do now the one in Iraq). It was an important transitional time in my life and this song meant a lot to me, being the music of Johannes Sebastian Bach, and such a great drinking song (which I was doing a lot of at the time).
--Ellis -
Exceptionally Well Done
Ah...hadn't heard this song in awhile. What beautiful memories!!! I was humming along as I read. So...it's going to be played at your funeral? I have "Those Were The Days My Friend" and a few others picked out I love your own words along with Procol Harum's. Drug dealer's dog? 
Didn't know that
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I have always love this song, but now there is something unusual that is going on in my mind. No that I have taken a disliking, but I feel rather sad to see that you like this song so much and want it to be the highlight of your funeral. Every other verse has such a sad touch to it, and the lyrics just compliment it. A job wonderfully done, by I am left to wonder about the feeling this write holds. Beautiful work. Take care and God bless. It is all beautiful, your write and the song.
Love and light,
Lencio -
Excellent and original.
Procol Harmin is something I have never experienced and your poem is a bit morbid but very clever and I must admit that I needed to read it several times before I got the full message and understood. This poem is more innovative than any I have seen before and I am amazed at the underlying message when it all has sunken in. -
brillaintly done
@ the song choice for funerals,,, i have mine worked out too ......... I FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL good
da da da da da .. knew that i would da da da da da da
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very good
What does this say for me I do Know the song and could hear it as I read your poem. Thanks to the drugs and times there are a lot of one hit bands. Many lives cut short that hed so much to give. -
Clever. It's also a bit morbid, but not in a bad way.
I have to agree with Rainydaywoman. This is a good job. -
This is so awesome- I truly enjoyed this, and I dont even know the song- But I would definately listen to it now, after I have read the lyrics- Great idea with this one Ellis, (and Tiki Cat) - Harper
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