Some Selections From “Here Lies” A Book About Graveyard Epitaphs
This book from 1900 whose full title is: Here Lies: Being a Collection of Ancient & Modern, Humorous and Queer Inscriptions from Tombstones compiled and edited by W.H. Howe, published by The New Amsterdam Book Company contains 197 pages of fascinating epitaphs, mostly from Great Britain. It was originally published in England in 1891 as Everybody’s Book of Epitaphs.
It’s difficult to believe that hundreds of years ago people were this creative about their own demise. Probably in many cases it was the friends and relatives of the deceased who were responsible for these final words etched in stone. Do you know what you would want written as your epitaph?
Here are a few of the better ones from this out of print gem:
Stephen Remnant
Here’s a Remnant of life, and a Remnant of death, Taken off both at once in a remnant of breath; To mortality this gives a happy release, For what was a Remnant proves now the Whole piece.
Mr. Edward Pardon (a bookseller)
Here lies poor Ned Pardon, from misery freed, Who long was a booksellers hack; He led such a damnable life in this world, I don’t think he’ll ever come back.
John Berry
How! How! who’s buried here? John Berry. Isn’t the younger? No the elder-Berry. An elder-Berry buried? surely must Rather rise up and live, than turn to dust. So may our Berry, whom stern death has slain, Be only buried to rise up again.
Thomas Huddlestone
Here lies Thomas Huddleston. Reader, don’t smile! But reflect as this tombstone you view That death, who kill’d him, in a very short while Will huddle a stone upon you.
In Sevenoaks Churchyard Kent
Grim death took me without any warning I was well at night, and died in the morning.
From Shoreditch Churchyard
We must all die, there is no doubt; Your glass is running- mine is out.
In Exeter Cathedral
Here lies the Body of Captain Tully Aged an hundred and nine years fully; And threescore years before, as Mayor, The sword of this city he did bear; Nine of his wives do with him lie, So shall the tenth when she doth die.
In a Churchyard near Warwick
Poorly lived And poorly died Poorly buried And no one cried.
From Worcestershire
Here lies a poor woman Who was always tired, For she lived in a house Where help was not hired. Her last words were: “Dear friends, I am going Where washing ain’t done, Nor sweeping, nor sewing! “And everything there Is exact to my wishes: For where they don’t eat, There’s no washing of dishes. “I’ll be where loud anthems Will always be ringing, But having no voice, I’ll get clear o’ the singing. “Don’t mourn for me now- Don’t mourn for me never- I’m going to do nothing Forever and ever!”
From Wolstanton on Annie Jennings
Some have children, some have none; Here lies the mother of twenty-one.
In Burlington Churchyard, Massachusetts
Sacred to the memory of Anthony Drake, Who died for peace and quietness sake; His wife was constantly scolding and scoffin’, So he sought for repose in a twelve-dollar coffin.
Owen Moore
Owen Moore is gone away. Owin’ more than he could pay.
From a churchyard near London
Stop, reader! I have left a world In which there was a world to do; Fretting and stewing to be rich – Just such a fool as you.
Johnnie Scott
Beneath this stone lies Johnnie Scott Who lived like a fool and died like a sot, But it is needless to argue Whether he was so or not; He as a man was despised, And soon will be forgot.
From Bath Abbey
Here lies Ann Mann; She lived an old Maid and she died an old Mann.
In Bellington Churchyard, Durham
Poems and epitaphs are but stuff; Here lies Robert Burrows, that’s enough.
I have an original print of this book, gifted and signed on the inside cover, in 1902. Any clue where I can find a value for it?
I ran across this book about 20 years ago in my mid 20s. There was one epitaph that really struck home. I rarely memorize anything. I generally look for the concept in what I am learning then assimalte it into my brain and move on but I memorized this epitaph. Granted it is short and rhythmic. It actually became a foundation principle of mine. It forces me to socialize when my social anxiety kicks in. I don’t want this to be the testament of my life. Plus when I went to college in a Rhode Island I spent a great deal of time in Warwick – go figure.
In a Churchyard near Warwick
Poorly lived
And poorly died
Poorly buried
And no one cried.
Thanks for sharing that story. I wondered who actually had this as their epitaph. Just because there is no name in the book, the person should not linger on in anonymity. I checked online and at Lillington in Warwickshire England I found the monument belongs to John Treen. His relatives choice of a wry epitaph made sure visitors would be alerted to a life not well spent.