DEATH comes once, let it be easy.
Ring one bell for me once, let it go at that.
Or ring no bell at all, better yet.

Sing one song if I die.
Sing John Brown’s Body or Shout All Over God’s Heaven.
Or sing nothing at all, better yet.

Death comes once, let it be easy.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Carl Sandburg's poem Finish

2 Comments

  1. Sandy says:

    When Carl DID die – his family held a small service, where they sang both these songs and rang the bell once. simple tribute to a great man.

  2. Macayla says:

    This is a great poem and really shows emotion!

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