A dirge is a hymn, lament or poem about the death of someone. A funeral dirge would be such within an actual funeral. Etymology of the word starts with Latin verb dirigere (English, ponder-direct, guide) used in Catholic church ‘Office of the Dead,’ liturgy for remembering and praying for someone no longer alive on Earth.
Here is link to Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’ – https://youtu.be/kyFyAqLtHq8. This musical composition would typically accompany the gathering of mourners at graveside of the deceased. It would foster a somber mood, with prayer, which would serve to implore the Almighty Creator to guide the soul of the dead to heaven and guide those remaining.
We are all on the path to death.
Eat, drink, be merry, for tomorrow we die.
“By the sweat of your brow you will eat food until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return” (Gen 3.19). [Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..]
If I should die (54)
If I should die,
And you should live,
And time should gurgle on,
And morn should beam,
And noon should burn,
As it has usual done;
If birds should build as early,
And bees as bustling go,—
One might depart at option
From enterprise below!
’T is sweet to know that stocks will stand
When we with daisies lie,
That commerce will continue,
And trades as briskly fly.
It makes the parting tranquil
And keeps the soul serene,
That gentlemen so sprightly
Conduct the pleasing scene!
After Great Pain, A Formal Feeling Comes
After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
And stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?
The Feet, mechanical, go round –
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –
This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –
Emily Dickinson
Contemplate the dirge, pray for yourself.
Paul's Place for Writing 