Geez, Tunesmith, if you know the song that well and have enjoyed it so much for so many years, you really shouldn't worry about how you should sing it. By this time, you have undoubtedly developed your own approach, if only unconsciously -- just open your throat and let it out! Then do it again and see if it's any different, lather, rinse, repeat, etc.

Sooner or later, we'll have *your* definitive version, something unique, at least a little bit different than anything we've heard before.

Aside: This must be a record for number of posts in a single day, or nearly so -- hmm? '^)