Music and Rites

Music accompanies every rite that I can think of and have been a part of during my life. It also plays an important role, and I can’t really imagine what the rites would be like without the music.

Obviously, there are traditional weddings with Pachelbel’s Canon. However, I have been to many weddings that seem to be a bit more personalized in terms of the music used. The last wedding that I went to had a few guitar numbers played by two people. I’ve also been to a wedding in Charleston that had local Gullah music being sung by actual Gullah people.

In terms of funerals, I haven’t noticed a traditional song that is played for the most part. I have noticed a few “Amazing Grace” numbers, which I love because it reminds me of my Grandpa. One funeral that I attended a couple people sang the country song “When I get to where I’m going”, which was very moving.

I haven’t really run across a particular song for births. But there is of course “Happy Birthday”, which I have heard being sung by family and friends at every birthday party I’ve ever been to I believe. Birthdays would feel incomplete without it.

I’ve also never been to a graduation without that song. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it never fails that this song will play at any graduation.

The rites that I can think of would just not be the same without music of some kind. It’s almost like you can’t have one without the other. Some of the music may be traditional, and some of the music may be untraditional. But music just seems to set the tone for the particular ceremony.