Louis Armstrong
What a Wonderful World
Born from 1960s turmoil, Louis Armstrong's defiant anthem of gratitude became the gold standard for funeral photo montages
Quick Facts
- Composer
- Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
- Written
- 1967
- Artist
- Louis Armstrong
- Genre
- JazzPopStandards
- Duration
- 2:21
- Best For
- •Photo tributes and slideshows
- •Celebration of Life services
- •Nature lovers
- •Optimists and gentle souls
The Origin Story
Forged in 1967—a year of war, riot, and existential fracture—songwriters Bob Thiele and George David Weiss sought to create a counter-narrative. The song was not ignorance; it was defiance.
A funeral is a moment of supreme darkness; the song functions exactly as it did in 1967—it does not deny the tragedy but insists that beauty remains valid alongside it.
Why Louis Armstrong?
By 1967, Armstrong was 66, physically declining, his voice damaged. But this was precisely the point. Optimism from the young is dismissed as naivety; optimism from the old is read as wisdom.
Armstrong—a Black man born in 1901, the grandson of slaves, who survived Jim Crow, the Great Depression, and two World Wars—possessed the gravitas to make the sentiment credible. His "battle-tested" optimism makes the song indispensable at funerals.
The Photo Montage Standard
The song's structure supports a visual narrative:
- Verse 1 (Trees/Roses): Photos of nature, gardening, holidays
- Verse 2 (Skies): Photos of travel, quiet moments
- Bridge (Friends): Photos of weddings, parties, group shots
- Verse 3 (Babies): Photos with grandchildren or children
- Outro: Final portrait fading to black
When to Use It
Strategic placements:
- Visual Tribute: The primary use—pacing matches photo cross-fades perfectly
- Committal: A soft release as the coffin disappears
- Recessional: Sends mourners back into the world with instructions to "see the green trees"
Who it's for: The "gentle soul," nature lovers, optimists—those who "always saw the glass half full."
Key Lyrics & Their Meaning
"I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you"
The opening grounds listeners in the sensory world. "For me and you" suggests beauty is relational—validating shared memories between the deceased and mourners.
"The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night"
The juxtaposition rebrands darkness as "sacred." For mourners entering a metaphorical night of loss, this grants permission to find peace in finality.
"I hear babies crying, I watch them grow, they'll learn much more than I'll ever know"
The "legacy" verse. Armstrong accepts being surpassed by the next generation—a humble release of the world to the young.
Popular Versions
| Artist | Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Armstrong | Orchestral, gravelly warmth | The definitive version—gold standard for slideshows |
| Israel Kamakawiwo'ole | Ukulele medley with "Over the Rainbow" | Child loss, outdoor services |
| Eva Cassidy | Acoustic, haunting | Premature deaths, quiet reflection |
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Sarah Mitchell
Funeral Music CuratorFormer church music director with 15 years of experience helping families choose meaningful funeral music. Created YourFuneralSongs after losing her mother in 2019.