swan-song
Career's closing curtain
A swan-song is a final performance, work, or gesture before death or retirement.
The term comes from the ancient belief that swans, normally silent, sing beautifully just before dying.
Now used for any memorable farewell: The concert was her swan-song before leaving the industry.
Also spelled without the hyphen.
Concluding part of performance
- send-offFarewell gathering or party
- valedictionFormal parting statement
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- departureAct of going away
leave-taking · epilogue · denouement · conclusion · closure · sign-off · coda · exit
Mournful commemorative music
- requiemMass for the deceased
- lamentMournful expression of grief
- threnodyMemorial song of grief
- eulogyTribute for the dead
tribute · memorial · homage · keening · mourning · melancholy · funereal · solemnity
Topmost stone of structure
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
- testamentWritten proof or legacy
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
- bequestGift left by will
heritage · posterity · transmission · culmination · apex · summit · pinnacle
finale
Concluding part of performance
- send-offFarewell gathering or party
- valedictionFormal parting statement
- adieuFormal leave-taking
departure · leave-taking · epilogue · denouement · conclusion · closure · sign-off · coda · exit · parting
dirge
Mournful commemorative music
eulogy · tribute · memorial · homage · keening · mourning · melancholy · funereal · solemnity · epitaph
capstone
Topmost stone of structure
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
- testamentWritten proof or legacy
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
bequest · heritage · posterity · transmission · culmination · apex · summit · pinnacle
swan-songdebut
First public appearance
premiere · maiden voyage · opening act · first outing · launching pad
swan-songdebut album
Artist's premiere full-length recording
first novel · juvenilia · rough diamond · emerging talent · first steps
swan-songbeginning
Initial stage of something
birth · commencement · dawn · inauguration · inception
song, swan, songs, swans, swan-songs