We poor scribblers find inspiration in the most unlikely places. An idea then picked up can lead down all sorts of paths previously unknown. This was the case recently when I was watching an episode of “Deep State” where the character played by Walton Goggins recites part of a poem as an epitaph for one of his companions who was being buried. The words “miss me but let me go” struck a chord within me and I had to see if I could find the source of this poem, if there was one.
The first source I found was a YouTube video by a band called Scrum but sadly this did not give any reference that I could see to the original poem and it didn’t seem to be claimed by the band as one of theirs. Theirs are the lyrics I have included below.
The next sources of the poem I found all had “Anonymous” as the author, a very prolific writer of all sorts of material. These were often found in funeral service pages.
I then found a version attributed to a Robyn Rancman which seemed to be the one albeit with some slight variation. Then the name Christina Rossetti came up in the comments amidst a little online skirmish about plagiarism and this being originally Christina’s work. Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was an English poet and her version certainly seems to have the basics of the poem. I have been unable to find any definitive information however on the mysterious Robyn Rancman who is often quoted but of her actual existence there seems to be no trace. If any readers do know of anything to add to clarify this little mystery I would appreciate your comments.
When an epitaph is needed for me in the hopefully distant future could I respectfully suggest that one of these versions is chosen. The sentiment of the piece sits well with me, particularly the first three verses. I do have a little disagreement with the “masters plan” concept (see “Beyond”) and I might substitute “lines” for “songs” in the Scrum version but otherwise make of it what you will, I will be in no position to argue the point.
Miss Me Let Me Go:
When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me
I want no tears in a gloom filled room
why cry for a soul set free
For this is a journey we all must make
and each must go alone
It’s all part of the masters plan
a step on the road home
Miss me a little but not for long
not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me but let me go
But remember my songs now and then
hear the tunes that set me free
and have a glass and close your eyes my beloved
know I’ll be what you need
Miss me a little but not for long
not with your head bowed low
remember the love that we once shared
miss me but let me go
Miss me a little but not for long
not with your head bowed low
remember the love that we once shared
miss me but let me go
miss me but let me go
Links:
Image by John Hain from Pixabay
Staces Place 
It’s hard to find anything on the Web about Robyn Rancman, but I believe she must be the author. Certainly if you look up Christina Rossetti and her work, you don’t find this poem. She died in 1894, and this poem feels more recent than that – though the author was clearly influenced by Rossetti’s work and style, especially the poem which starts “When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me.”
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I tend to agree with the previous commenter (Andrew). I have not been able to find the poem among Christina Rossetti’s works, though it does seem to be influenced by her. And there is very little on Robyn Rancman on the web. In my mind, however, the burden of proof lies on those who claim the poem is by Rancman. I read a comment on one of the sites on which this poem is attributed to Rossetti in which the commenter suggested that Rossetti plagiarized the poem from Rancman, a claim which is hard to take seriously considering that we do not know when Rancman lived. For now the quest to uncover the true author of the poem will continue. It’s a shame that we do not know the author of a poem of such beauty and resonance. I read this at my mother’s funeral service because it just seemed so apropos.
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Greetings. I’m also struggling to find who actually wrote this beautiful poem. I recently recorded a song based on this poem and I have attributed the words to Robyn Rancman (hopefully I didn’t mistakenly give out the wrong details).
Here’s the link to the song (if you want to hear a different one from the Scrums version.I thought their version and the video was excellent)
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I copied it and will save it! I love it! I have always felt close to that way after loved ones have passed. I hope when my time comes my loved ones will feel the same way. Thank you for posting this!
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My pleasure Brenda and gratified that it resonated with you as it seems to with a lot of people as it is one of my most read posts.
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I have seen no author when I searched for this, but I have, what I thought, was the original. We were given a scribed copy my grandfather’s pastor wrote for him when he passed in February of 1990. I was also told the author was Marvin Barnes – written 2.5.90
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