Are you just looking to make a list of folk's "best/favorite/most important song?" Or are you seeking deeper? You can look at lists of "One hundred most popular folk songs" or anyone's picks of "important" songs, most recorded, or even "songs I don't want to hear ONE more time" -lots of ways to look at what's been considered essential.There's book documenation - Lomax and Sandburg down to reprints from SINGOUT

But what it actually comes down to is not what OTHERS think are significant, but the songs that touch your heart enough that you HAVE to learn them and sing them to anyone who'll listen. With such a rich treasure trove to be found in trad, I've no doubt that there are many of those songs that can catch your heart and mind. We can all give you OUR "best" song for being a treasure - but the opinion is only as good as your connection to the person expressing it. Ya might have some idea what a Mudcatter is about from reading lots of their posts, but pulling it from musicians you have a real life connection to (even if it's only listening to their recordings over and over) and seeing what THEY prize, songwise, will lead you to songs with more significance. Most of what I value in songs came from the singing of people I value highly, and their worth is tied up in my perception of the song.

As you say yer a "young one" I do envy you having started early on looking for songs. Tonight, I think my pass along song is Palaces Grand/ aka the Sad song. Tomorrow it'll be something else entire: different day, different mood.

Joanne in Cleveland