Rolling Stones Lyrics Banned From Tombstone

The Church of England has decided that the Rolling Stones’ lyrics “it’s only rock and roll … but I like it” are too flippant to be featured on a tombstone.

Darren and Rick Clapham from Standon near Stoke-on-Trent, had planned to include a variation of the Stones lyrics on the headstone for their late father, Charles. The pair also wanted to describe his death by saying that he “finally fell of his perch.”

However, a Church of England judge Stephen Eyre has decided that the words are too “flippant” and “irreverent” to appear on a grave stone.

“I would be prepared to authorise an inscription going beyond the recording of Mr. Clapham’s age at death, and his attributes as a loving father and grandfather.

“What is essential is that any such inscription gives a message which conveys something of Mr. Clapham’s character – without being capable of being seen as inconsistent with the Christian Gospel.”

While agreeing that an epitaph could reflect more of Clapham’s personality, Eyre added: “The words ‘finally fell off his perch’ are unacceptable. They cross the line, going beyond quirkiness and humour to undue flippancy and irreverence. The ending of a human life is a serious matter and the proposed phrase goes too far.”