Hymns from the funeral
First Hymn: PRAISE MY SOUL.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet thy tributes bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Praise him. Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia )
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
Frail as summer's flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!
Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Elton's sad loss is shared by many
From ITV (UK):
http://www.itv.com/news/Entertainment1074123.html
Sir Elton John paid tribute to Gus Dudgeon, the music producer who put him on the road to stardom.
Speaking at Dudgeon's funeral, Sir Elton described his friend and former mentor as the "the greatest producer of a generation".
"In 1970, I had my first hit and it was all down to Gus - that was my career," he told the congregation.
"He was a loving an inspiring man and between 1970 and 1975, we made 17 albums together. I can't remember a happier time."
Sir Elton's moving tribute gave way to tears when his song High Flying Bird, which Dudgeon had produced, was played out to the packed church.
Among the mourners at St Andrew's Church in Cobham, Surrey, were Sir Cliff Richard,, Paul Gambacini, The Zombies and singer Joan Armatrading.
Outside the church, amid a mountain of floral tributes, was a bouquet of white lillies from Sir Elton.
A note attached read: "Thank you for the glorious times. May you be in Heaven together forever, love Elton."
Gus and his wife, Sheila, were tragically killed on July 20 when their Jaguar XK8 inexplicably careered off the M4 motorway while they were driving home.
The couple, who did not have children, left behind Gus's brother, Murray, and Shiela's brother, Edward Bailey, who both gave readings at the service.
Gus, 59, was regarded as one of the greatest producers of his generation.
He worked with Sir Elton on several albums including Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which contained the tracks Candle in the Wind and Funeral for a Friend.
Gus and Sheila lived in a beautifully restored cottage in Cobham, where they were able to indulge in their shared passion for gardening.
Gus, an expert on tulips, would reportedly talk at length about his strict planting schedules.
The couple were buried in Cobham cemetery.
(end of ITV Article)
*~*~ Note from me: *~*~*
**That "wish" which Elton has for Gus & Sheila, about 'being in Heaven together forever" probably comes
from his childhood Christian education (most children in the UK have a basic Christian education at State schools).
From having faith in God and His goodness, forgiveness
and eternal life, as revealed in Christ's life, death and resurrection ~ and
told by those who witnessed it, as "Good News" in the Gospels. The 2000 year old hope for
eternal life. For The resurrection of the dead, that Jesus came to show us was possible and
which will be ours too, at the appointed time ~ when our time is up.
Proving, as Elton John's song says,
"Life isn't everything"
Those who love ~ live forever!.
Love is of God and is in the heart and Soul
I believe Gus, like Elton, have heart and "Soul" ~ That love and hope will not disappoint,
because they "believe in Love" and true (Godly) love never dies.
For God IS Love!:-)
*~*~*~*
Next song:
High Flying Bird
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
Lyrics: http://www.eltonography.com/songs/high_flying_bird.html
You wore a little cross of gold around your neck
I saw it as you flew between my reason
Like a raven in the night time when you left
I wear a chain upon my wrist that bears no name
You touched it and you wore it
And you kept it in your pillow all the same
My high-flying bird has flown from out my arms
I thought myself her keeper
She thought I meant her harm
She thought I was the archer
A weather man of words
But I could never shoot down
My high-flying bird
The white walls of your dressing room are stained in scarlet red
You bled upon the cold stone like a young man
In the foreign field of death
Wouldn't it be wonderful is all I heard you say
You never closed your eyes at night and learned to love daylight
Instead you moved away
© 1972 Dick James Music Limited
Next Hymn:
Love Divine All Love Indwelling
by Charles Wesley 1745
. Love Divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
2. Breathe, oh, breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast;
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty, to deliver;
Let us all Thy life receive.
Suddenly return and never,
Nevermore, Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessings,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
AMEN
The Lord's my Shepherd
(Song of David ~ Psalm 23)
One of Elton's favourites.
Click here for the music
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness
Even for his own name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through death's dark vale
Yet will I fear no ill
For thou art with me, and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table thou has furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
AMEN!
*~*~*~*
Memorial Tributes
Click here for my Tribute to Gus Dudgeon
Click here for Tribute by eltonjohn.com
Click here for Tribute by Dark Diamond
Peace
