Well, if I could add a new ending to the question and rephrase it to ask "If I could perform one song without crying..." I would say "Nothing But A Child' by Steve Earle. I used to be able to make it all the way through, but the last two times I have tried to do it at church (Christmas Eve) I haven't made it. This year I got smart and had my 9 year old sing with us (My spouse & I) so that if I couldn't finish, the melody would survive. It worked out ok, but I don't think I'll attempt it again. The words, for those of you who don't know it go somethimg like this

Once upon a time, in a far off land Wise men saw a sign, and set out cross the sand Songs of praise to sing, they travelled day and night Precious gifts to bring, guided by the light

Chased a brand new star, ever towards the west Across the mountains far, then they came to rest They scarce believed their eyes, they'd come so many miles This miracle they prized, was nothing but a child

And nothing but a child could wash those tears away And guide a weary world into the night of day Nothing but a child could help erase those miles Till once again we all can be children for awhile

All around the world, in every little town Every day is heard a precious litttle sound Every mother kind, and every father proud Wants town and all to find another chance allowed

Nothing but a child...(repeat chorus)

I seem to cry at the "every mother kind..." part. We learned it off an old Steve Earle tape 6-8 years ago. Kathy Matea does a rendition of it,(tho I have to admit being partial to the leanness of Earle) It is a very simple yet to me a very powerful song.

If however the sentance was left alone, I too would have a hard time choosing but I might have to go with all the verses of "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. It is such a wonderfully radical song that I can't resist it for very long.