Move Over Amazing Grace There’s Monty Python At Funerals

By Richard Dowson - Opinion/Commentary

I’ve been an on-and-off Monty Python comedy sketch group fan since the Seventies. Of all their material I loved the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, part of their movie, ‘The Life of Brian’.

When a dear friend died during COVID I asked the family to consider playing the song at his funeral. It never happened.

He enjoyed life and had a great sense of humour. It would have been fun for the family and guests.

For those unfamiliar with the song, it was written by Eric Idle, one member of the troupe for the movie, Life of Brian, a controversial movie starring Graham Chapman.

When Graham died in October 1989 a public memorial was held for him and the collected group sang, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” as part of his eulogy.

Graham Chapman in the Monty Python movie, “Life of Brian”

For educational purposes only

The song has become even more popular since then.

By 2005 it was the third-most selected song at funerals in the United Kingdom. By 2014 it was the most popular funeral song in the UK.

There are several verses. They can be found on the Net. Here’s a sample of two:

“Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best

“And always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life”

“If life seems jolly rotten (ooh)
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh, and smile, and dance and sing (ooh)
When you're feeling in the dumps (ooh)
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing (ooh)

“And always look on the bright side of life (come on)
Always look on the bright side of life”

Writer Richard Dowson is a retired educator.

He is known for his frequenting local coffee shops and other places seniors gather. He is living the life of a retiree.

In a previous life he wrote comedy for CHED in Edmonton.

His views may or may not reflect the views of this publication.