swansong
/ˈswɒnsɒŋ
/noun
The final performance or activity of a person’s career: he has decided to make this tour his swansong...
- Tonight's cup final was meant to be his swansong after a medal-laden career in Sunday morning football spanning a quarter of a century.
- And with new owners John Stabler and Russell Greenfield still to announce their plans for next season, it could be the final swansong for many of the playing and coaching staff.
- It also saw the final swansong to the Stones recording the blues with their murky version of Robert Johnson's ‘Live With Me’.
Origin
Early 19th century: suggested by German Schwanengesang, a song like that fabled to be sung by a dying swan.