"Ashokan Farewell" was played at the funeral of Emily Keyes

[question everything]

the young student murdered in her school in Colorado.

Ever since PBS aired "The Civil War," this song touches my heart. And while CNN was in the background, hearing the first few notes of it caused me to raise my head and to pause, and to think of the tragedy and senseless death of young Emily Keyes.

May she rest in peace.

[Fridays Child]

1. I love that song...

...and the letter from Sullivan Ballou. But that poor child, Emily...when I heard about her memorial service on the news, it made me heartsick.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Bless her ...

Of all that I've read and heard about her person, she was a beautiful soul who was taken from her family and friends way too soon.

May God bless and Keep You Emily Keyes ... sleep with the angels sweet child. :cry:

[Lars39]

3. Here's the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1MVX0ga_8U

[Solo_in_MD]

4. That piece has been played at my family funerals for several

generations. So haunting when done well on a violin.

[question everything]

5. Um.... I am sure that a haunting piece was played at your family

funerals and left a lasting impression, but... not for generations.

As much as it sounds so 19th Century it was written only in 1982.

http://www.jayandmolly.com/ashokanfaq.shtml

[Solo_in_MD]

6. Interesting comment - thanks

It was played at my father's and later and uncle's funeral. An aunt (not the widow) told me how playing it at funerals was a long time family tradition. Not a musician myself, I took it at face value. I will look into this...

[question everything]

8. Sometimes a tune grasps at the inner most parts of your being

that you is certain it has been with you forever.

I once attended a function with a touching tune that I was certain was with me since childhood, only to later realize that I've encountered it only a few years earlier.

Thus, it is not surprising that your aunt was certain it has been with the family for generations. It just felt that it would have.

The CD of The Civil War was given to contributors to a Radio Pacific station shortly after the program was aired and we selected it and after the exchange here I found it and played it. The last cut is "Ashokan Farewell" playing as a background to Sullivan Ballou's heart wrenching letter.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. A deeply moving piece of music for a heart-wrenching time.