“Keg on my Coffin,” by Chris Trapper

“Keg On My Coffin” by Chris Trapper is a lighthearted folk song written from the perspective of someone who has died. In fact, preceding a live performance of the song, Trapper said, “I tried to imagine what it would be like if I was to send a postcard home after I died.” Though he wrote it from his personal perspective, the lyrics can work for anyone.

Credit: portsmouthnh.com

The “postcard” plays as a set of instructions for his loved ones after the author dies. Trapper begins with the chorus:

Put the keg on my coffin

And think of me every so often

Have a losers’ day parade for all my friends

Drink up life like a river ‘til the pizza man delivers

And smile and know I loved you ‘til the end.

Cleary Trapper doesn’t want his loved ones to mourn too heavily, instructing them to have a party for him. And they’re also to include him posthumously as part of the festivities, setting the beer keg on his coffin. He says he’d like to be remembered occasionally, but doesn’t need to be on everyone’s minds constantly.

A sense of humor pervades “Keg On My Coffin.” When Trapper sings the line, “Drink up life like a river,” it reads as a sort of homily to inspire meaningful living. He follows these sage words with “’til the pizza man delivers,” suggesting that ordering pizza with friends can (and maybe should) be part of a joyous, rich life.

It’s clear right away that Trapper does not want his friends and family to mourn his death so much as celebrate his life. Trying to envision how our loved ones would cope with our own death is certainly a common thought. And it’s probable that a vast number of people would share in Trapper’s wish — for our loved ones to remember us fondly, not bask in endless sorrow.

The first stanza follows the blithe attitude of the chorus:

Here’s what you do when my time comes to pass

Charlie told me through the reflection in his glass

Don’t waste time prayin’ cause I’m never comin’ back

Just throw a party in my name

Trapper’s postcard implores his loved ones to spend their time jovially and have that party in his name. He does not want them to waste their time hoping for his return. In other words: It is what it is, and we can’t change it, so better to use our days remembering the good times when he was alive.

Credit: charlottemagazine.com

“Keg On My Coffin” is an impactful song. Though it is about death, it’s not somber and morose. In fact, it’s quite an uplifting and soothing tune. I could imagine someone crying while listening to this song if it reminds them of a loved one who has died, but its actual message is not really depressing.

One of the more profound lines in the song is “smile and know I loved you ’til the end.” Reading this line written by a loved one who had died would be very hard. The waves of emotions would certainly funnel through your mind. However its endearing message of love would also be uplifting, knowing you were in their hearts until the end.

You get the sense that Chris Trapper has a worldview that says we should use our time wisely and be as happy as we can. It can be easy to squander the hours away thinking about the fleeting nature of life. “Keg On My Coffin” engenders upbeat feelings, honing in on the idea that we need to celebrate our loved ones who have died and not just mourn our loss.

You find the lyrics for “Keg On My Coffin” here.

You can watch a live performance of the song below.