Please help me compile a palliative spotify playlist of hymns

[buckeejit]

My mum has an inoperable brain tumor and hasn't long left. She's lucid & mobile now and mostly herself still but I'm struggling with wanting something active to do so thought I'd start with this.

I will subtly ask for her & dad's favourite hymns but have my own hymns playlist on spotify, (they're staunch Presbyterian, I'm liberal but spiritual also a skeptic & non church goer)

The vibe of most of the hymns I come across either seem too jolly or too morbid, so please let me know if you know any artists/versions of hymns that you'd want to hear when you or a loved one is dying - my favourite hymn is Dear Lord and father of mankind by Neil Hannon of divine comedy, (despite walking up the ailse to him singing another hymn, I only fairly recently discovered this gem due to MN).

Any other advice also gratefully received if there's anything else I could do

I Watch The Sunrise

As Gentle As Silence

Be Thou My Vision / An Irish Blessing

The UK Blessing

Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord

What a lovely thing to do.
I love Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, too.
As I Kneel Before You is very soothing.

Amazing Grace - Judy Collins

or

Amazing Grace - Elvis Presley

I want Just As I Am played at my funeral. Has to be the Saffron Walden tune though. "Just as I am, though tossed about / with many a conflict, many a doubt / fighting within and fears without / O Lamb of God I come"

How Great Thou Art
Beautiful (Phil Wickham) - maybe too modern if they are very traditional
Come thou fount of every blessing

How Great Thou Art, especially this version.

Have a listen to songs composed or arranged by John Rutter. One of my favourites is "A Gaelic Blessing". His version of "for the beauty of the earth" is gorgeous too.

I remember singing 'will your anchor hold? a lot when I was in Scottish Presbyterian school. Not jolly but rousing.

I meant to add... it might be worth considering other music genres and/or positive and jolly hymns. Dying doesn't have to be sombre. Sometimes a "happy/jolly" piece of music really lifts the soul and the mood in the room and can make a huge difference for everyone. When my FIL was dying we played all of his favourites (quite a few by The Pogues!) and it seemed to really lift the atmosphere in a way that he appreciated.

Of course, you know your mother and her preferences best, but thought it might be worth sharing our experience in case it's of benefit.

@Poppins2016, that's a really good point. I would like it that way, too.

My Song is Love Unknown

All my Hope on God is Founded

Be Still My Soul and Abide With Me are end of life hymns I would say.

is lovely, but usually sung by a choir.

Do you know what they had at their wedding? It's a lovely thing to do for her.

This is great thanks, will have a browse of these.

Yes I love will you anchor hold.

My mum's life has been one of service to others & she's constantly been doing stuff & didn't really like being entertained by music & films etc. So unlike me & my dad, she doesn't really like other music, apart from once when I was at Primary school, she said she liked Shakin' Stevens- snow is falling!

Will maybe do another playlist of secular music but not convinced she'd like it!

This isn't a hymn per se, it's a country music song but it is Biblical/religious and both singers are committed Christians. I love it and want it at my funeral one day...

Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton - When I Get Where I'm Going

Ooh @bathsh3ba I love that song. Have you seen the film wild rose? Highly recommended & an awesome soundtrack. This song is in it & Jessie Buckley is amazing

I work in a nursing home and one of the residents listens to hymns all day. There's a beautiful one that I'd never heard before but the name escapes me right now. I'll try and find it.

Found it

What a lovely idea.

@buckeejit, I didn't know it was in a film! Will have to watch it. I just got to know it because I love Brad Paisley!

You could look back to the hymns she would have learnt as a child so that she knows the words. Guide me O thou great Redeemer, The day thou gavest Lord is ended, Through the night of doubt and sorrow, O God our help in ages past etc might be good ones.

In Christ Alone

Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd
Lord of all Hopefulness
Eternal Father, Strong to Save (aka For Those in Peril on the Sea)

I love Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, too.

Even for someone with no particular religious beliefs, the words of some hymns are very comforting, and the music very uplifting when sung by a cathedral choir.

I am in no way shape or form religious but a great lover of choral music and singing. We sung this at my aunt's catholic funeral- such beautiful words and melody.

"Here I am Lord"

Also John Rutter's arrangement of "A Gaelic blessing"