Explore the powerful poem “Funeral Blues” by W.H. Auden, its full expression of grief, and how it can resonate deeply during a funeral service.
Written in 1938, “Funeral Blues” is a deeply evocative poem that vividly expresses the sense of emptiness and sorrow that follows the death of a loved one. Auden’s powerful poem resonates with those who feel the weight of grief, making it a meaningful choice for funerals and memorials when finding the right words is difficult.
Funeral Blues is perhaps best known for its stark imagery and raw emotion. Auden uses everyday objects and actions—like stopping the clocks or silencing the pianos—to symbolise the profound disruption that death causes in our lives. These metaphors emphasise how everything that once felt normal and routine suddenly feels meaningless in the face of loss.
The poem’s progression from personal grief to a universal expression of mourning is another reason why it resonates with so many people. The shift from “He was my North, my South, my East and West” to “Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood” captures how the death of a loved one can make the entire world seem empty and bereft.
Lyrics for Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He is Dead’.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
We invite you to explore our extensive collection of popular funeral hymns, heartfelt funeral poems, and meaningful funeral readings. Whether you are seeking comfort, inspiration, or guidance, our resources are here to support you during this difficult time.
