Whether you’re looking for reggae funeral songs for a service, a wake or just to remember your loved one, there are plenty to choose from. Here you can find a collection of reggae songs for funerals, including popular and less-known options.
Bob Marley funeral songs
Bob Marley is generally considered the most famous reggae artist of all time. If your loved one enjoyed the genre, chances are, he would’ve been somewhere on their playlists or in their record collection. Here are some of the best Bob Marley songs for a funeral.
No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley
No Woman No Cry is one of Bob Marley’s best-known songs. So, it’s not surprising that it’s also one of the most popular reggae songs for funerals. While losing a loved one is one of the hardest things for us to deal with, it reminds us that we have our memories and to keep a positive outlook.
“Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way, yeah
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say, yeah
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry, eh, yeah
Little darlin', don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry.”
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
If you’re looking for uplifting funeral songs, Three Little Birds is one of the best known reggae options. Its chorus encourages us to stay positive, remembering that everything will be okay.
“Don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right
Singin', don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right.”
Selassie Is The Chapel – Bob Marley
This Bob Marley funeral song is an ideal choice for a Rastafarian funeral. It celebrates Haile Selassie, former emperor of Ethiopia, who’s often worshiped as Jah incarnate. The melody is slow, creating a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.
“Take your troubles to Selassie
He is the only King of Kings (King of kings, King of kings is he)
Conquering Lion of Judah
Triumphantly we all must sing (All must sing, all must sing)
I search and I search on book of Man
In the Revelation, look what I find.”
UB40 funeral songs
Red Red Wine – UB40
The most popular UB40 funeral song is, by far, Red Red Wine. While it was originally written about a breakup, its lyrics can be relevant to losing a loved one. You might relate to the feeling of playing memories with your loved one over and over in your mind.
“Red, red wine goes to my head
Makes me forget that I still need her so
Red, red wine, it's up to you
All I can do I've done
Memories won't go, memories won't go.”
Kingston Town – UB40
Kingston Town is a good reggae song for the funeral of someone from Jamaica or who has fond memories of Jamaica. It gives hope to the idea of meeting again somewhere that they love. If you’re looking for an alternative to this song, the original is by Trinidadian artist Lord Creator.
“She'll be waiting in Kingston town
Right now
She'll be waiting in Kingston town
Oh, yeah
She'll be waiting in Kingston town.”
More reggae funeral songs
Love From a Distance – Beres Hammond
This reggae funeral song is by Beres Hammond. While you might be separated from your loved one right now, it shares a hope that you’ll be reunited at some point in the future. It reminds you that you can still love them from a distance too.
“I hope it's not gonna be long, no
Please, don't make it long, now.
I see love from a distance
Coming, but slowly
I know it's gonna last forever
I feel us coming closer, closer and closer
It's the time we get it together.”
Why Must I Cry – Peter Tosh
This is a more solemn choice when it comes to reggae songs suitable for a funeral. Peter Tosh is one of the most loved reggae artists and this song could help share how you’re feeling. It talks about facing difficulties and carrying on through the hard times.
“Why must I cry
These tears from mine eyes?
Why must I cry
These tears from mine eyes?
Why must I trod
This lonely, lonely, lonely road?
Why must I carry
This heavy, heavy, heavy load?”
Forward Unto Zion – The Abyssians
This reggae funeral song is another good choice for a Rastafarian funeral. Zion is a utopian place revolving around unity, peace and freedom. This song could offer comfort, reassuring you that your loved one is now in a peaceful place.
“And send us home to Zion city
Send us home to Zion
Send us, send us home fi go drink milk and honey
Send us home to Zion, beautiful Zion.”
There For You – Damian Marley
There For You by Damian Marley is slow with a steady, but uplifting, beat. It’s a good song for remembering someone who was always there for you. It also mentions mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, so could be the right funeral reggae song for a family member.
“Bless your eyes and may your days be long
May you rise on the morning when His kingdom come
Good deeds aren't remembered in the hearts of me
Bless your eyes and may your dreams come true
May you rise on the morning when Jah kingdom come.”
Image by Planet Volumes on Unsplash.
