Wilco, ("I guess what I'm asking for is a closing song that would give a message of
compassion, understanding, and support. I don't like to close with a sad or slow song either... ")

I usually try to end with a song that is some sort of "parting" song AND/OR an upbeat, fun song. This is why "Show Me The Way To Go Home,"Bye-bye, Blackbird," and "Goodnight, Irene" are favorites, I think. (I don't use the "...take a great notion to jump in the river and drown..." or "...gonna take morphine and die..." verses of "Irene" in nursing homes.)

But it makes a difference whether it's a general sing-along, a "musical memories" activity, or a party. For parties, I close with something like SMTWTGH or Beer Barrel Polka or Goodnight, Ladies or the "Adios, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight" song that ends every Lawrence Welk show. But some of the slow "parting" songs that have been mentioned above are NOT depressing to these folks and evoke very rich memories of their youth. "Till We Meet Again" has got to be in the top 20 of song requests I get in senior facilities of all ilks.

Genie