Dan Fogelberg’s Most Profound Song About Death
Yesterday I mused on the occasion of my friend mother’s death. I concluded the post by rejecting metaphysics and appealing to the commonplace in our search for meaning,
… we must always come back to the commonplace for meaning, to what surrounds us, to what we I call the ordinary extraordinary. No theory or abstract truths mitigate existential realities, only our complete engagement in our lives can temporarily do that. …
Still even the most rational have their mystical moments. Below is a music video of the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard about death, one that appeals to me in my occasional mystical moments. The words, music, and vocals are by the American musician Dan Fogelberg (1951 – 2007), who is best-known for his hit songs such as: “Longer,” “The Leader of the Band,” and “Same Old Lang Syne.” (The stories of each of these songs is itself fascinating, just follow the links.)
The song about death is titled “River of Souls” and is from an album of the same name.
River of Souls (Original Recording Remastered)
It contains some sublime and tragic lines,
To every man the mystery
Sings a different song
He fills his page of history
Dreams his dreams and is gone
But its basic message is informed by a religious (especially Hindu) mysticism:
The spirits dance across the ages
And melt into a river of souls
Here is this most sublime song. (There are links to his other music below.)
I highly recommend the music 
of this wonderful singer, songwriter, and artist.
Thank you Dan for your contributions to the world. I hope you have melted into a river of souls.
