The Epitaph Song
Good morning, Good People. Just a lyric for today. Still trying to work out the music. Need some violins on this one. Anyway, any feedback is appreciated. Does the chorus make sense to you considering the verses?
And while, I just wrote this lyric, this past week, it actually took several years to do so as I've written and rewritten many songs for my birth-mother, Rose. I hope I've finally done the situation some justice.
Write on.....and on!
THE EPITAPH SONG
[Verse 1]
When I’ve taken my final breath
There’s but one place for me
My weary bones long to rest with you, Mother
Beneath that willow tree
[Verse 2]
And to be certain they get it right;
The name you gave me at birth
I’m having your tombstone engraved, Mother
On the backside for all it’s worth, I’m
[Chorus]
Writing my own
Writing my own epitaph
Riffraff we shall be no more, Mother
I shall have the last laugh
[Verse 3]
I recall the day I found you there:
Maplewood Cemetery
‘Neath that willow tree, all alone
A plate with the number “3”
My tears fell like raindrops
On that perfectly sunny day in May
I vowed right then and there
You’d have a stone by your next birthday, now I'm
[Chorus]
Writing my own
Writing my own epitaph
Riffraff we shall be no more, Mother
I shall have the last laugh
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
[Verse 4]
I’ll be sure to make it rhyme
I’ll be sure to make it sweet
And should someone’s eyes fall upon it
It will surely be a treat, I'm
[Chorus]
Writing my own
Writing my own epitaph
Riffraff we shall be no more, Mother
I shall have the last laugh
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
La-la-la-la, la, La-la-la, la
©️ 2025 Renee La Chapelle - All Rights Reserved
Epitaph to go something like the following:
“In a thousand faces
I searched for you
Of all places, I found you, Mother
Forever in my heart.” 💕
Comments
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@HummerWisdom - Renee,pretty song, good epitaph.. the chorus makes sense but could be a bit stronger, in my opinion. but then again, my heads been in the abstract lately :)
1 -
it works , it be a inside song , meaning your the one who would relate to it , But I don't think your concerned with commercial appeal
1 -
This feels like a very personal song, and you should choose what's there or not if that's the case.
I'll say that "riffraff" in the chorus isn't 100% clear to me. It feels like something personal between the narrator and her mother, and I'm guessing that someone has called them riffraff in the past.
I think the whole story works very well for a song lyric.
1 -
Clearly a very personal song which I sincerely hope works for you Renee.
Songwriting is a wonderful form of carthasis, make the most of it.
There's only one lyric that's right, the one that feels right to you.
Hope you get out of it, everything you're looking for.
Sid
1
Howdy, Stranger!