Famous Last Words and Epitaphs

[2020hindsight]

a not so famous one lol ...

https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=87394&highlight=barefoot#post87394

Praps in the midst of banana and cream, or Walking barefoot through dry sand, - or
As I reflect on some child-held dream, or dream how I held my child's hand;
Praps when the sensual stuff's at it's height, That's when St Peter appears bathed in light, -
(I'm Hoping he'll tell me I got it half right, ) And that's when he'll say "mate, let's go".

A streetlamp - perhaps amongst bluegums - gives up, and Shadows revert to the moon, and
In that calm setting I'm walking the pup, and Singing one more tone-deaf tune;
Praps as it flickers, my song ends abrupt, or Once again damned middle C goes corrupt,
The shadows change watch – my Last Supper supp’t ; But… Preferably later than soon .

 

[Trembling Hand]

"well this will teach me"​

Last words of a death row inmate just before they flicked the switch.

 

[2020hindsight]

Mohatma Gandhi
architect of Indian Independence, assassinated 1948
Hari Rama! Hari Rama!

Mohammed (Abu al-Qasim Muhammed ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Ahd al-Muttalib abn Hashim).
the founder of Islam, died 643
Oh Allah, be it so.

Jesus of Nazareth
Dissident Jewish prophet and Christian Messiah, crucified 33AD
It is finished

The Buddha (Prince Gautama Siddhartha)
Founder of Buddhism, died 483BC
Aged 80, his final words were to his monks
Transient are all conditioned things. Try to accomplish your aim with diligence.

Saint Mark the Evangelist
Author of the second Gospel, died 75 AD
Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch,
Bishop of Antioc , thrown to the lions 110AD
Let me enjoy these beasts, whom I wish much more cruel than they are; and if they will not attempt me, I will provoke and draw them by force. I am God’s wheat and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread for Christ.

Sir Winston Churchill
British PM, died 1965. interviewd on his 75th birthday, Churchill’s sentiments were probably unchanged at this death
I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter.

 

[2020hindsight]

Sounds like John Barrymore (actor) and Gene Fowler (snr, writer) were good mates - even joking at Barrymore's final exit ..

John Barrymore
American actor, died 1942, to his old friend the scriptwriter Gene Fowler
“Tell me Gene, is it true that you’re the illegitimate son of Buffalo Bill?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Fowler

Fowler was the subject of many colorful anecdotes. One told by his son, Will, concerns a scene outside of John Barrymore's hospital room in May 1942.
A stranger entered the waiting room where [John] Decker and Fowler were sitting with reporters. "I am a healer," cried the stranger. "Just give me three minutes with Mr. Barrymore and I will cure him!"

There was a moment of silence until Fowler arose, snatched the seemingly demented fellow by the scruff of his collar and threw him down the stairs, calling after him, "Physician, heal thyself!"

Fowler was present at Barrymore's death, and he claimed (perhaps not seriously) that Barrymore's last words, spoken to Fowler, were: "Is it true that you're the illegitimate son of Buffalo Bill?"

Incidentally, Fowler authored many witticisms both spoken and written, eg. (but can't find his particular final words - I'm assuming that they're witty)

He has a profound respect for old age. Especially when it's bottled.

Love and memory last and will so endure till the game is called because of darkness.

Let us, then, be up and doing, with a heart for any fate;
still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labor and to wait.

Perhaps no mightier conflict of mind occurs ever again in a lifetime than that first decision to unseat one's own tooth.

Sometimes I think my writing sounds like I walked out of the room and left the typewriter running.

Whatever one believes to be true either is true or becomes true in one's mind.

Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.

 

[2020hindsight]

To the world she was but one, to us she was the world.

Ride with the winds on the wings of doves, oh heart so true and tender;
You lived your life for those you loved, and those you loved remember.

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells in the sand,
The sun goes down, yet gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops and yet it echoes on in sweet refrain
for every joy together past something beautiful remains.

Find her the softest pillow Lord to place her head upon.
Place our kisses upon her cheeks, And tell her who they’re from.
Always in our hearts.

 

[2020hindsight]

by?? anon (someone with a religious and/or poetic bent)

Miss me a little, but let me go, When the sun has set for me;
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long, And not with your head bowed low;
Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me..but let me go.

For this is a journey that I must take, And we must go alone;
It’s all a part of the Masters plan, A step on the road to “Home”.

 

[2020hindsight]

Repost , but what the heck....

God bless... God damn.
~~ James Thurber, humorist, d. 1961

 

[2020hindsight]

I intend to live forever -- so far, so good! anon

...
PS What happens if you get scared half-to-death twice?

 

[2020hindsight]

repost (Rudyard Kipling)
A SON
My son was killed while laughing at some jest. I would I knew
What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests are few.

 

[2020hindsight]

PS What happens if you get scared half-to-death twice?

btw , that was a trick question...

cos you end up 3/4 dead
then 7/8 etc

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

This was written by John's ex wife and mistress. It is an acrostic

John Laird McCaffery ("your friends") - 1940- 1995

* "John
Free your body and soul
Unfold your powerful wings
Climb up the highest mountains
Kick your feet up in the air
You may now live forever
Or return to this earth
Unless you feel good where you are!

I hope its not a repost. Apologies if so.

gg

 

[2020hindsight]

This was written by John's ex wife and mistress.

lol - not very subtle m8.
I'm guesing the ex-wife came up with the concept and the "skeleton draft" lol.

Peter Costello the other day , quoting Woody Allen
"What would you your friends to say about you at your funeral?"
"look he's moving"
(sorry - paraphrased)

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

lol - not very subtle m8.
I'm guesing the ex-wife came up with the concept and the "skeleton draft" lol.

Peter Costello the other day , quoting Woody Allen
"What would you like them to say at your funeral?"
"look he's moving"
(sorry - paraphrased)

lol

The ungrateful girls put it on his tombstone, probably the first time he'd been a stiff for many a year.

Women are so cruel.

gg

 

[2020hindsight]

I'm guessing the local priest has walked past that tombstone 1000 times - and still hasn't twigged lol.

 

[trainspotter]

My personal favourite is "I told you I was sick"

 

[cuttlefish]

"Oh no, not again" - Bowl of Petunia's in hitch hikers guide to the galaxy.

 

[queenslander55]

While we are flogging Douggie Adams, my all time favourite would have to be:

Arthur: All my life I've had this strange feeling that there's something big and sinister going on in the world.
Slartibartfast: No, that's perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the universe gets that.

 

[2020hindsight]

paranoia etc

:topic
"so doc what do you reckon?"
"sorry son but youre obviously mad"
"I want a second opinion!"
"ok youre ugly too" (g. marx)

 

[Kez180]

'Go tell the Spartans stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae

 

[2020hindsight]

'Go tell the Spartans stranger passing by, that here, ect

thanks kez,
you're not a soldier by any chance ? - a marine maybe? lol.
poem by Simonides (whoever he was), (5th century BC)
as you say , "Epitath on the monument marking the Battle of Thermopylae"

another (strictly "unsourced") :-
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Simonides_of_Ceos
We count it death to falter, not to die.

(maybe that should be unsauced? :samurai: )

speaking of appealing to "passers by" ...
this one by Byron in memory of his Newfoundland dog ...
the full poem here :-
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=98641&highlight=newfoundland#post98641

Ye! who perchance behold this simple urn,
Pass on - it honors none you wish to mourn:
To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one, - and here he lies.