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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: GUEST,skarpi at work Date: 05 Feb 01 - 07:36 AM Halló all. We got one sad song here in Iceland witch i think its saddest song i ever have heard. It is called " Á Kránni " In English " At the pup " It is about family who are loosing a child and the father drinks his sorrows at the pup, in middle verse the the other kid comes and ask his to home bescouse the little one was asking asking about him. I think i can get an English version of the lyric. It is a great melody but the lyric is sad. Of course we have more songs but think this one is the saddest. skarpi Iceland. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: mkebenn Date: 05 Feb 01 - 07:27 AM Wow, I read it all, late for work, shit, but I got a couple not mentioned."Flying Arrow" Mason Prophet{Talbot bros pre Harvest}, Bo Jangles{'nother dead dog}, and Kristofferson's "Casey's last ride"..he stumbles as he's leavin', and he wonders if the reason is the beer that's in his belly, or the tear that's in his eye..sigh.. Mike |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: English Jon Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:57 AM At the moment: Any of the songs with "meeting is a pleasure and parting's a grief but an inconstant lover is worse than a thief for a thief will but rob you, take all that you have but an inconstant lover brings you to your grave" Subject to change, of course. Jon |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: GUEST,Bob Heitz Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:26 AM Yes Mark, I have Elvis; both the original and an alternate version where he changed only two words. The original version was released as cut B.02 on his first album titled "Elvis" |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Mark Clark Date: 04 Feb 01 - 05:23 PM GUEST,Bob Heitz, Do you have Elvis' recording in your "Old Shep" collection? It was on the first or second album he ever recorded, one simply titled "Elvis." - Mark |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: GUEST,Bob Heitz Date: 04 Feb 01 - 04:39 PM This is for Bill in Alabama Do you have Old Shep recorded, and if so, how can I buy it? I have searched the WEB for your recordings. For the other participants, I am trying to collect all of the recordings of Old Shep that I can locate. Most of what I have (48) are in the country genre. Any help would be appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: GUEST,PeterB Date: 12 Jul 00 - 11:40 AM to Deni of Mad Rush - The June Tabor Song 'It was a long wet year' is called Seven Summers and was written by Dave Goulder |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: James Stanley Date: 11 Dec 99 - 02:36 PM I accidently posted a blank thread, so the saddest song of all may be no song at all. Two worthy of consideration are "Ballad in plain D" by Bob Dylan, and "The Last Thing on my Mind" by Tom Paxton. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: James Stanley Date: 11 Dec 99 - 02:33 PM |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: TheMuse Date: 11 Dec 99 - 12:32 AM Don't know if it's the saddest song, but pretty darned close, "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt always gets me. The main line that says it all is: "I can't make you love me if you don't, you can't make your heart feel what it won't" TheMuse |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: manylodges Date: 10 Dec 99 - 08:15 PM my favorite sad song is "ma ma look sharp" a song about a young man who is dieing after a battle, and is aking his mother to find his body. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Jon Freeman Date: 10 Dec 99 - 07:57 PM Seeing Tom Waits mentioned, Time is a song that I have played over and over when I am feeling sad. Jon |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: marcelloblues Date: 10 Dec 99 - 07:13 PM I do not know any song by that great soul named Tom Waits which doesn't contain some kind of deep sadness. For more, somewhere in my head a lot of John Coltrane's music, is really filled up by sad kind of blues. More and more: Bob Dylan's BALLAD OF HOLLIS BROWN, traditional (?) ST. JAMES INFIRMRY, Sonny Boy Williamson's DECORATION DAY BLUES. I use to sing the Decoration Day Blues at a local weekly jam session, it always works good not only for me, but for the whole audience and staff. Seems like going so down can create a magic climax, it makes you feel better Thinking of the blues has taken me, now, a little more blue than before Cheers |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Longneck Date: 10 Dec 99 - 02:14 AM Pete here from Perth, Australia. I think that Tom Paxton's song 'When I Go To See My Son' has got to be up there with the best of them. Of course 'The Pub With No Beer' strikes a chord here in Oz!!! |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: doug Date: 10 Dec 99 - 12:06 AM to mbo' re: he ain't heavy me too. doug |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: kendall Date: 09 Dec 99 - 10:40 PM Old Shep is one of the songs I recorded for Folk Legacy, and, it is the only song my daughter Deb asks me not to sing. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Diego Date: 09 Dec 99 - 10:21 PM theres one verse in Tom Waits "A little rain" She was 15 years old And never seen the ocean She climbed into a van With a vagabond And the last thing she said Was, "I love you mom." And a little rain Never hurt no one
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Mbo Date: 09 Dec 99 - 10:18 PM For some reason, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" always makes me want to cry... --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: grgptrsn Date: 09 Dec 99 - 10:13 PM one that always gives me the chills and that pre-tear feeling in the eyes is "the weaker soldier" by will oldham. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Big Mick Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:58 PM Usually its a song that gets inside my head...At the Getaway I sang a song called "Far from their Homes" that makes me feel the sadness of the coffin ships. I have to be careful singing that one. Another one like this is Bogle's "Leaving Nancy", which is about Eric leaving his mother at the train station. It reminds me so much of when i left my own mother at the bus station as I headed off to Vietnam. I didn't know if I would see her again, nor she if she would see me. He captures the emotion so well, that again I have to be careful. I am also deeply affected by "Where have All The Flowers Gone". Also a song written by Tim Irvine of Colorado which is called "After The War". Both of these songs make me see faces of comrades from Vietnam. I miss them today, and these songs remind me of them. It takes a lot of control for me not to cry. In fact, I usually do. All the best, Big Mick |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Mbo Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:19 PM Reminds me of ELO's "Telephone Line":
Hello--how are you? O.K., so no one's answering --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: doug Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:01 PM i'll still vote for old shep, but what about thank you for calling? yes operator, i'll hang up the phone. Yes, yes i know, my party is gone, but i'll always love her, i guess til i die, thak you for calling, goodbye. the tune makes it even sadder. who is it by? doug |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Fred pt. II Date: 09 Dec 99 - 08:57 PM Sorry, I hit the wrong key. --"Put My Little Shoes Away" a dying child gives away all his toys, but saves his shoes for kid brother --"Little Joe": another dying kid, who worries about how his death will affect his kitten and other concerned parties --"When the Work's All Done This Fall": a dying cowboy realizes he waited just a little too long to go see Mother --"Don't Make Me Go to Bed and I'll Be Good" How would you feel? You just sent your kid to bed, and now he's up there dying --"Teardrops Falling in the Snow" a stalwart mother awaits delivery of her dead son's body --"I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail" a stalwart mother retrieves her criminal son --"Mother the Queen of my Heart" a stalwart mother comes back from the dead to spoil her son's poker game
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: doug Date: 09 Dec 99 - 08:55 PM mark sorry,i don't know my source, i learned that when i was about 14, which was several days ago. still, it's a right sad song. my daughter still cries when i sing it, and she's over 14 herself. but i think i did shoot old shep, cause the next verse i know is: now sheppie has gone where the good doggies go, and no more with old shep will i roam, but if dogs have a heaven, theres on thing i know, old shep has a wonderful home. your version? doug |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Fred Date: 09 Dec 99 - 08:50 PM Man, I skimmed a long way thru this thread before I found any of the saddest songs I know. "Old Shep" is a Red Foley classic, about a faithful dog the singer nonetheless must kill. Musical melodrama, as he picks up the gun and "aimed it at his curly head/ But I just couldn't do it..." ["so I strangled the f*****r instead."] Seriously, if you want truly suicial songs, you must raid the vaults of mountain music: |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: bobby's girl Date: 09 Dec 99 - 06:51 PM There are just so many - maybe I cry too easily! The version of "My old man" which I know and cry at is the one written by Ewan Mcoll, but then there's also Bonny light Horseman, the Passchendale Suite sung by CBS,and then ther's "Whose Garden was this?" by Tom Paxton, which I used to sing, when I could get to the end without sobbing! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: KUIAMA (Electric Light Orchestra) From: Mbo Date: 09 Dec 99 - 06:35 PM For me, it's the beautifully heart-breaking "Kuiama" by The Electric Light Orchestra
KUIAMA--Electric Light Orchestra My, my Kuiama, she came in the morning My, my Kuiama, don't break your heart trying See here Kuiama, now ten thousand miles Kuia stop your crying, there's no bombs a'falling No more silver rain will hit your ground Wake up Kuiama, I got something to tell you Kuia in this country, they got rules with no reason Kuia please believe me, I just couldn't help myself Kuia I just shot them, I just blew their heads open |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Mark Clark Date: 09 Dec 99 - 02:56 PM Doug,
What is the source of your lyrics for "Old Shep"? The verse I use goes... - Mark |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Jeri Date: 09 Dec 99 - 02:01 PM The saddest songs for me are the ones where there could have been a different ending, and those about bad things happening to people where they have no say - "Death of Queen Jane," and "Victor Jara" (words by ???/tune, Arlo Guthrie). Alice mentioned "There Were Roses." The first time I heard it was from a quiet voiced singer in a loud bar. Everyone quieted down to hear him (a miracle) and I was blubbering by the time he finished. The saddest songs have some sort of happy element (sometimes just a memory of happiness) in them as well - like James Keelaghan's "Kiri's Piano," and someone mentioned Garnet Roger's "Row of Small Trees," Jon's suggestion "Maggie." It adds contrast and makes the sadness even more intense. They're all songs where you feel what happens instead of just hear about it. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one furtively wiping away tears at the end of a song. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: kendall Date: 09 Dec 99 - 01:14 PM the Old Blue Ox, written by Dave Mallett (the Garden song) its about an old man who wandered away from the nursing home looking for his fathers ox. He doesn't realize that 50 years have passed and people he was looking for are dead or moved away.its also a true story. The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.. The Wheel house Door, as sung by Gordon Bok. Utah Phillips' I remember loving you. Lonesome Robin Old Gilbert, Slim Dusty I cant speak for others, but, these songs tear me up, and, as Joan mentioned, its probably the sense of loss. Oh, hell.. I get all blubbery just writing them down. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Midchuck Date: 09 Dec 99 - 12:26 PM There's always Garnet Rogers' "Off the Rails." "He went off the rails at White River Junction....." But you'd have to have been in White River Junction to know how sad that is..... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Bullfrog Date: 09 Dec 99 - 12:16 PM There's a film called "The Dead Can't Lie" (or possibly "Gotham" in the U.S.) in which a street singer does the most heart-breakingly beautiful version of "Danny Boy".(Any body know who hte actor/singer was?) And how about The Flying Burrito Brothers'"Hot Burrito #1" When Gram's voice cracks on "I'm your toy, I'm your old boy" it gets me every time. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Wesley S Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:40 AM Birmingham Sunday - Richard Farina as sung by Joan Baez. I heard it again in Spike Lee's documentary called "Four Little Girls". I was moved by the story of the prosecuting attorney that said he listed to the song every day until he could bring the bombers to trial. One that always chokes me up is "My Fathers Hat" sung by Chet Atkins. Yes - Chet sings. I don't know the name of the composer. But I challenge anyone to listen to that song without getting misty. Especially if your father has passed on. I'm sure I can think of more but those two popped into my head right off. Interesting thread. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Blackcat2 Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:06 AM The Pub's Got No beer |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: bob schwarer Date: 09 Dec 99 - 07:18 AM "Orphan Train". Real sad.
Once I rode an orphan train Bob S. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Greg Date: 09 Dec 99 - 05:48 AM I came here to carve my feckless love's name, as she did once, in the driftwood at Shingle Head. The song that echoes in the void she left is Andy Stewart's "Chill Eastern Winds" "There's none that could blame me for wanting her beauty, But it lies like a snowflake in the hands of a child. When the warmth of my love tried to reach out and hold her, It's then she was gone, to prove she's still wild"
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Deni of Mad Rush Date: 09 Dec 99 - 05:18 AM The Banks of Green Willow is the saddest song of all. A young captain takes his pregnant bride to sea, and when she goes into labour, can't break the journey, so she says, '..then tak' me by the fingers, and cast me overboard and have nae pity on me'. He does, and 'see how she swims and see how she swaggers, and she'll no leave off swimming til she comes to safe harbour. When the Captain finally finds her, she is, 'lying there died on the cold sea strand...her babe it was born and lying at her feet'. After that, it actually gets worse, and now they all three lie sleeping on the banks of Green Willow. When I've sung this song, half the audience have been sobbing, although the woemn usually tolerate it more stoically. Second saddest song for me is one I've heard sung by June Tabor. It concerns childhood and though nothing horrible happens, it has such a yearning, hopeless-but-still-beautiful quality it makes me feel very upset. 'It was a long wet year, and still she looked for summer.'Perhaps someone out there knows the title and songwriter. What skill! Those long wet summers move most of us to tears, but it seems to me that if you can't have a happy childhood then what hope is there. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Stewie Date: 09 Dec 99 - 04:02 AM Donal Og and, in a modern context, John Gorka's 'Ballad of Jamie Bee' has an exquisite sadness, as do any number of Cohen songs. WyoWoman, I agree that 'Famous Blue Raincoat' is a gem, but the line you misquoted refers to taking the 'trouble' from 'her eyes', not 'sadness'. Cohen is a first-rate poet and, as such, would choose his words very carefully. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Clinton Hammond2 Date: 09 Dec 99 - 12:15 AM James Keelaghans "Captain Torres".. last time I heard him sing this one at The Ark, I wept like a little girl!!! Garnet ROgers "Row Of Small Trees" Stan Rogers "The Jeannie C." and "White Squall" Stephen Fearings "Turn Out The Lights" Mary Chapin Carpenters "John Doe No.24 I'm also gonna include "Christams in the Trenches", "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", and "There Were Roses" simply because of what we learn from songs like these... that we don't learn from songs like these at all.. That's the saddest thing of all... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Jon Freeman Date: 08 Dec 99 - 11:25 PM I find Leaving of Nancy hard but the one that really gets to me is Maggie. Jon |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: doug Date: 08 Dec 99 - 11:12 PM old shep only got two votes?? with a hand that was tremblin, i picked up my gun, and i aimed it at shep's faithful head, i shot the best pal, a boy ever had, i wish they had shot me instead. also he stopped loving her today |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Sarah-HS Date: 08 Dec 99 - 10:35 PM The late Hank Williams sang the saddest songs I've ever heard - I don't know the name of this one, but it says, "I've just told Mama goodbye, and knelt beside her bed, like the flowers of May she whithers away and my white rose has turned to red". A song I can't sing because it makes me want to cry is "Last Night I had the Strangest Dream" - it gets me feeling sorry for my kids and grandkids growing up in a world that may be destroyed in a nuclear war. I choke up when I reach the part that says - "And the people in the streets below were dancing 'round and 'round, and swords and guns and uniforms were scattered on the ground." |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Joan Date: 08 Dec 99 - 10:25 PM I've read every last post in this thread, and started wondering what it is about some songs that make them so moving and rip-your-heart-out sad. Maybe partings? Leaving home and loved ones not knowing if you'll ever see them again? Separation by death? Then some songs are sad by special associations...for me it's Coltman's "Lonesome Robin" and "Who Will Sing for Me." Does asking "why" make this a whole 'nother thread? j |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: bunkerhill Date: 08 Dec 99 - 10:14 PM "Easy's Getting Harder." "Poor Wayfarin' Stranger." And an unrecorded tune, "In Early Spring," by Lucy Sollogub. No lyrics, but if you could listen closely, you'd hear the rock of an empty backyard swing. It is dedicated to Linda Tella, who died at age 4. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Smeebes Date: 08 Dec 99 - 08:16 PM Not knowing Mudcat had done a thread on this, we put together our top twenty sad songs from English Trad Folk. There are lyrics too (probably from digitrad :) see beta-site at http://www.sarcon.demon.co.uk/frames/sad.htm This is a frames site but the above link will work as non-frames. The home page (frames) url is http://www.sarcon.demon.co.uk/frames/F-reset.htm and that url requires 1208 X 728 resolution (sorry) and is beta so don't grumble if it's not all working. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: katlaughing Date: 01 Aug 99 - 03:39 PM Andres, That sounds like a really sad one. I was reminded of one the other day which Rex Allen jr. did about a little kid confronting the postman about not bringing any letters to his mom from his dad who has left her. He "holds up" the mailman with his toy pistol and says "today I'm bringin' momma's letter home". It's really pathetic. kat |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Andres Magre Date: 01 Aug 99 - 05:34 AM The saddest song I know is "Little Pal" (no other reference) recorded by Paul Robeson circa 1938 and included in CD volume REMEMBER RMB 75024. Sorry for bringing up Paul Robeson again, if it seems that my knowledge of folk interpreters is very limited, well, oops..it is ! But I admire Robeson !:) "Little Pal" is the farewell of a man who parts, perhaps to prison, or to be executed. He says farewell to a little son. He begs him to be good to his mother, to be a better man than he is himself, and to remember his loving father even when he meets "another Daddy". I think this is one of the few songs related to family love, and it is a very sad song indeed. I could never sing it. Best regards - escamillo@ciudad.com.ar
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: katlaughing Date: 01 Aug 99 - 12:55 AM And, I heard "Mr. Lonely", yesterday on our oldies staion, which, yesterday just laid off all of its people from mgmt on down. Remember? "Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, etc." very sad soldier. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: Pete Curry Date: 31 Jul 99 - 10:53 PM Just heard Tony Bennett doing "Poor Butterfly" (including the opening lines that most singers leave out). First time I ever paid attention to that song. It's a real tear-jerker. I checked and it's on his CD, "Here's To The Ladies" (this song is associated with Sarah Vaughan). I believe Bonnie Raitt has recorded it, too. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song of All From: katlaughing Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:38 PM Thanks, Mark. Glad you liked them. My bro is more the composer, but if the Muse strikes, I'll let ya know. Emily would do a fine job. I saw the descendants of it in the DT, too, after Dick mentioned them in the ADD-poem thread I posted. Hey, gang, thinking about Alice in Montana going Victorian, how about "She Only A Bird in a Gilded Cage"...pretty sad, huh? kat |
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