Forest Lawn
Tom Paxton, 1970· Songs Well-Known in America · p.106
D A7
Oh, lay me down in Forest Lawn in a silver casket
D
with golden flowers over my head in a silver basket.
G D B
Let the drum and bugle corps play taps while cannons roar.
E A7
While sixteen liveried employees sell souvenirs from the funeral store.
D A7 D F# Bm
I wanna go simply when I go. They'll give me a simple funeral there, I know.
G D B
With a casket lined in fleece and fireworks spelling out "Rest in Peace,"
E A7 D
Oh, take me when I'm gone to Forest Lawn.
D A7
Oh, lay me down in Forest Lawn, they understand there.
D
They have a heavenly choir in the military band there.
G D B
Just put me in their care, I'll find my comfort there.
E A7
With sixteen planes in a last salute, they'll drop a cross in a parachute.
D A7 D F# Bm
I wanna go simply when I go, they'll give me a simple funeral there I know
G D B
With a hundred strolling strings and topless dancers with golden wings,
E A7 D
Oh, take me when I'm gone to Forest Lawn.
A E
Oh, come, come, come, come, come to the church in the wild wood,
E7 A A7
Kindly leave a contribution in the pail.
D A
Be as simple and as trusting as a child would,
E A
and we'll sell you the church in the dale.
D A7
To find a simple resting place is my desire.
D
To lay me down with a smiling face comes a little bit higher.
G D B
My likeness cast in brass, will stand in plastic grass
E A7
While hidden weights and springs tips its hat to the mourners filing past.
D A7 D F# Bm
I wanna go simply when I go. They'll give me a simple funeral there I know.
G D B
I'll lie beneath the sand with piped-in tapes of Billy Graham,
E A7 D
Oh, take me when I'm gone to forest lawn.
D G D A7 D
Rock of ages cleft for me for a slightly higher fee.
E A7 D
Oh, take me when I'm gone to forest lawn.