Richard Burton's Gravesite

1925-1984

 Protestant Churchyard, Celigny, Switzerland

photos courtesy of Greg Chard

POEMS READ AT RICHARD BURTON'S FUNERAL

So many people have asked about the poems read at Richard Burton's funeral that they are listed here for reference, since they are both lovely and appropriate.

Funeral

Brook Williams read the Dylan Thomas Poem, Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night.  The text is below.

                  DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

                            Do not go gentle into that good night,
                          Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
                           Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

                         Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
                        Because their words had forked no lightning they
                             Do not go gentle into that good night.

                           Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
                       Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
                           Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

                          Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
                        And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
                             Do not go gentle into that good night.

                        Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
                         Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
                           Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

                           And you, my father, there on the sad height,
                      Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
                             Do not go gentle into that good night.
                           Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

                                             Dylan Thomas

London Memorial Service

Paul Scofield read Death Is Nothing At All, which has been attributed to Rev. Henry Scott Holland but apparently was written by an unknown author.  Text is below.

Death Is Nothing At All  

                           Death is nothing at all; I have only slipped away into

                           the next room.

                           Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call

                           me by my old familiar name, wear no forced air of

                           solemnity or sorrow; life means all that it ever meant.

                           Why should I be out of mind only because I am out of

                           sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere

                           very near, just around the corner.

                           All is well.

                           Source unknown

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This page last updated 7-19-00

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