swansong
Last great effort
A swansong is a final performance, work, or act before retirement or death.
The term comes from the ancient belief that swans sing beautifully just before dying—though they don't.
A musician's farewell tour, an athlete's last season, a director's final film: The album was her swansong before she stopped recording.
Also spelled swan song.
Mournful expression of grief
- requiemMass for the deceased
- dirgeMournful commemorative music
- threnodyMemorial song of grief
- eulogyTribute for the dead
valedictory · mournful · plaintive · bittersweet · poignant · wistful · melancholy · somber
Concluding part of performance
- goodbyeDeparting salutation
- partingAct of leaving another
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- valedictionFormal parting statement
departure · send-off · leave-taking · exit · epilogue · denouement · coda · sign-off
Supreme artistic achievement
- culminationHighest or final point
- capstoneTopmost stone of structure
- testamentWritten proof or legacy
- tributeOffering of respect
memorial · remembrance · heritage · endowment · bequest · pinnacle · zenith · retrospective
lament
Mournful expression of grief
eulogy · valedictory · mournful · plaintive · bittersweet · poignant · wistful · melancholy · somber · reflective
finale
Concluding part of performance
valediction · departure · send-off · leave-taking · exit · epilogue · denouement · coda · sign-off · bow
masterpiece
Supreme artistic achievement
- culminationHighest or final point
- capstoneTopmost stone of structure
- testamentWritten proof or legacy
tribute · memorial · remembrance · heritage · endowment · bequest · pinnacle · zenith · retrospective · anthology
swansongdebut
First public appearance
premiere · first performance · maiden voyage · opening act · first outing
swansongbreakthrough
Sudden important advance
first album · opening night · coming-out party · juvenilia · first attempt
song, singer, singing, swan, sung, unsung, songbird, songwriter, swan song