The Saddest Song Ever written

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,guitarist
Date: 13 Jul 00 - 11:54 PM

well, Lord Franklin -- stranded in Arctic ice for two years before finally starving to death, while your wife waits and wonders -- now that's sad!

Greenfields of Canada, the Planxty version -- "the sheep run unshorn, and the land's gone to rushes -- the handyman's gone, and the winders of creels" -- such a picture of desolation, in so few words.

For reasons I can't explain, "Arthur MacBride" always makes me tear up. I mean, it's a happy story right? Arthur and his cousin beat the shit out of the recruiter and go on their merry way. I think maybe it's the sense that it's only a story, in real life Arthur and his cousin actually do end up in France, and get shot in the morning. Meanwhile, the recruiter is out looking for fresh meat...

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: mike putt
Date: 14 Jul 00 - 06:28 PM

I have to agree with Hotspur. "There were roses". It took me months before I could finish this song without crying.

Subject: Lyr Add: "I SHOULD LIKE TO DIE," SAID WILLIE
From: little john cameron
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 01:20 AM

This is a poem, no’ a song. It took me three goes tae type it.

“I SHOULD LIKE TO DIE,” SAID WILLIE

“I should like to die,” said Willie, “if my papa could die too:
But he says he isn’t ready—‘cause he’s got so much to do:
But my little sister Nellie says that I must surely die,
And she and Mamma—then she stopped because it made me cry.

“I remember that she told me once, while sitting on her knee,
That the angels never weary while watching over her and me:
And if I was only good—Nellie told me so before—
That they let us into Heaven when they see us at the door.

“I shall know no more of sorrow. I shall know no more of sin.
I shall see Mamma and Nellie, for I know they’ll let me in:
But I’ll have to tell the angel when I meet him at the door,
That he must excuse my Papa, because he couldn’t leave the store.

“I know I shall be happy, and shall always want to stay—
I should like to hear the singing—I should love the endless day:
I would like to look at Jesus—I d love him more and more,
And I’d gather water-lilies for the angel at the door.

“Nellie says that it may be I shall soon be called away—
If Papa was only ready I should like to go today;
But if I go before him to that world of light and joy,
I guess he’ll want to come to Heaven to see his little boy.”

Anon.

Capitals and punctuation added. --JoeClone, 1-Mar-02.

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: pastorpest
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 10:12 AM

Here is another old fart song which is sad when you know the context: Loch Lomand. None of our songs compare with the horrendous sad disasters in three of every four operas.

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 10:57 AM

The saddest song ever written was "Gloomy Sunday", originating in Hungary in the 1920's or 30's. It was responsible for several suicides during that time. The song was later recorded by Billie Holliday.

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Ship'scat
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 03:12 PM

How about "Last Cigar"?

Real pathos should come from the pen and voice of one who's been there and done it. This ancient (and anonymous) midshipmen, perhaps a year into a two year cruise in 1860, is out of cigars. How bad can it get?

Maybe he went on to force those damn torpedoes at Mobile Bay or face down the iron-cladded Merrimac on Hampton Roads behind nothing but wooden walls. But what pained him the most? No cigars while patroling the Bight of Benin, that's (probably) what!

"I watched the ashes as they came fast drawing to an end. I watched them as a friend would watch beside a dying friend." Now that's sad.

KC

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Deadlyfiddler
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 09:52 PM

Geez ! It's gotta be Teddybear ( Breaker 10 4 Good buddy an all that stuff )

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Big Show
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 12:47 PM

I agree with "Teddy Bear" too (Red Sovine I think)...

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 01:07 PM

Thought I put these in this thread a few days ago, but the post seems to have vanished ... hmmmmm. Anyhow:

1913 Massacre
Little Joe
Put My Little Shoes Away

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Lena
Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:02 AM

Heavy ones could be:

Open your eyes(Irish lullaby-does anybody know it here?!)

"La Guerra di Piero"(this soldier is walking in this forest when he meets another soltier from the other army.Piero sees the fear in his enemy's eyes,sees the vulnerability of the man and sees he's a young fellow like him,and esitates.The other soldier turns out not to be that kind and shoots him straight away.Piero's last words are for his girlfriend, "Nina,my love,to die in may takes much too much courage Nina,my love,straight to hell I'd rather go there in winter")

"False/True love"(trad/Eaton/Murphy)

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Nikki
Date: 17 Jul 00 - 08:41 AM

Well, when I was a little tyke, my mother could make me cry by singing "Oh, Susannah." Later, it was "The Moon Shines Tonight on Pretty Red Wing" (the tune more of us probably know as "Union Maid.") My father always said that "your bladder's too close to your eyeballs" thing. But a couple of newer songs that I feel are quite sad are "I Remember Loving You" which I think might be by U. Utah Phillips, and "Here's to You Rounders" - sung by Bok & Trickett - I don't have any railroad bums in my family as far as I know, but there's something about those two that touches me.

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 08:23 AM

I agree with GUEST, in fact he/she beat me to it in quoting 'Gloomy Sunday'. I also find 'Danny Boy' has tear jerking qualities when one realises that Danny is being spoken to by a dying lover, who says that her grave will be warmer when she hears his prayers. My parents were both strongly afected by jimmie Rodgers' @Whisper Your Mothers Name'. Iwould also submit Ewan MacColl's 'Joy of Living' written by him when he knew that his time was growing shorter. He refers to his wife as "dearest companion" and adresses the most affecting line to his children, "Farewell my chicks, now you must fly alone". As a father and grandfather that line had me in tears. The song is a masterpiece, written by a great artist and humanitarian.

Subject: RE: BS: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 18 Jul 00 - 08:27 AM

I stand by all the statements I just made, but apologise for the typos

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: kendall
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 09:07 PM

Where Are You going my little one...?

Loch Tay boat song.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 09:20 PM

This was my first "Thread". Thanks for renewing it, guys. Utah Phillips' "I Remember Loving You" is definitely on the list. If you haven't heard Kendall do it, buy the CD.

"Danny Boy", I thought, was a mother saying goodbye to her son knowing she would never see him again. Any experts in the house? (Silly question!)

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Lee Shore
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 09:57 PM

Saddest: Hound Dog, Bay at the Moon" sung by Odetta. Saddest phrase in a song: "Aint nobody loves me but my mother, and I think she may be jivin' too" -BB King. The Irish sweep the catagory though, with Danny Boy, Parting Glass, Valley of Knockanoor and a thousand others. As G.K Chesterton says: "For the great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad, for all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad." Of course, Chesterton might have allowed as how the Brits had a little something to do with making Ireland sad.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Lee Shore
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 10:14 PM

Have to add Stan Rogers' "Harris and the Mare."

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,john c
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 02:03 AM

"Blues Run the Game" - cos its true and they did. At least for poor old Jackson.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: bobbi
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 02:11 AM

Poor Lil' Babes In The Woods.

(Sniff... Sob)

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: kendall
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 08:23 AM

No Time to say Goodby by Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,mmm1a
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 03:54 PM

Saddest song is the one that is never heard.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: jaze
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 06:46 PM

"Making Believe" as sung by Emmylou. /also her "Ballad of a Runaway Horse".

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Whiskey
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 01:33 PM

What's wrong with Harvey Andrews' "The Soldier" or whatever it's called. That's really sad, in my view. If you've never heard it, try to find it and give it a listen...although it's getting a bit dated now, it's still thought provoking.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,tim
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 03:26 PM

go rest high on that mountain by vince gill

going home

amazing grace

tears in heaven by eric clapton

grown men dont cry- tim mcgraw

gloomy sunday

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Steve N.
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:09 PM

"Come All Ye Tender Hearted"....Peter Rowan sang it on an album of his. This one is way beyond sad, as we Bluegrassers would say....it's PITIFUL.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,duart
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 10:03 AM

It has to be "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell for its general condemnation of big city apathy, or "Leaving Nancy" by Eric Bogle, for its simple examination of any son taking a last farewell of his mother.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,gandalf the grey
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 07:35 PM

Without a doubt it is " mary had a little lamb" by Paul macCartney.What a sad excuse for a #1 hit song,but i bet he made a million.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 11:41 AM

Besides most Hank Williams songs :) I would have to say

Hey Jesus by the Indigo Girls Adrian by Jewel (esp. as it's a true story) and. . .The Superman Song by Crash Test Dummies

And thanks to all the other suggestions on this thread--I've gotten some good suggestions here.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:35 PM

All of the above plus "Dancing At Whitsun" -- took me ages to learn it, cuz I'd tear up around the second verse -- all those villages with no one left but old men and women and children.

Then again, how about "No More Beer From Kendall" and Johnny Handle's "The Old Pubs." Those are pretty sad songs about some pretty sad subjects, too.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,jenn
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 02:45 PM

the saddest song, one that always makes me want to cry is "The Green Fields of France"

"did they play the death march as they lowered you down? Did the band play the last post in chorus? Did the pipes play the Flowers of the forest?

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 03:04 PM

My first thread...Now I wonder if the saddest song has been written.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Puflet
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 03:37 PM

'Thieves like Us' New Order 'Missing' Everything but the Girl

Actually, I think half the thing about sad songs, or what makes them particularly poignant for me, is the state of mind I am in when I first hear them, and it is therefore associations as well as something about the songs themselves - with these, it's a sense of loss and hopelessness.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 05:12 PM

For me, it's the traditional ballad "Castle Grand."

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 01:48 AM

Bogle's "No Man's Land" is a choker when you have somebody lying in France. Rab Burns' "Ye Banks and Braes" is in the running, as is "The Rowan Tree". [Can ye tell I'm a Scot??]

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,janey
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 06:01 PM

Heaven Knows No Frontiers (as sang by Mary Black) Nothing more needs be said.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 06:23 PM

Did anyone mention "Victor Jara". I don't remember who wrote it but Arlo did a version that always reduces me to a blubbering heap. f

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Joe_F
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 06:53 PM

I wish you were here to be underfoot,
I wish you were here to get in my way,
To call me from work, to call me to play,
I wish you were here again.

Oh, what did I do that had to be done,
And what did I read that had to be read,
When I could have turned to watch you instead?
I wish you were here again.

The monuments rise, the monuments fall,
The papers are signed and turn into chaff,
But I can recall the sound of your laugh.
I wish you were here again.

I wish you were here to be underfoot,
I wish you were here to get in my way,
To call me from work, to call me to play.
I wish you were here again.

-- Malvina Reynolds

Subject: Lyr Add: IF PAPA WERE ONLY READY (Philip P Bliss)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 04:45 PM

The "poem" posted by Little John Cameron above intrigued me, so I did a bit of research, and found that it is a song after all—although I couldn't find the tune anywhere.

Copied from The P.P. Bliss Lyric Archive (and slightly edited by me).

IF PAPA WERE ONLY READY
(Philip Paul Bliss, 1867)

"I should like to die," said Willie, "if my papa could die too,
But he says he isn't ready 'cause he has so much to do.
And my little sister Nellie says that I must surely die,
And that she and mama—then she stopped, because it made me cry.
And that she and mama—then she stopped, because it made me cry.

"But she told me, I remember once, while sitting on her knee,
That the angels never weary watching over her and me,
And that if we're good (and mama told me just the same before)
They will let us into heaven when they see us at the door.
They will let us into heaven when they see us at the door.

"There I know I shall be happy and will always want to stay.
I shall love to hear the singing. I shall love the endless day.
I shall love to look at Jesus. I shall love him more and more,
And I'll gather water lilies for the angel at the door.
And I'll gather water lilies for the angel at the door.

"There will be none but the holy. I shall know no more of sin.
But I'll see mama and Nellie, for I know he'll let them in,
But I'll have to tell the angel when I meet him at the door,
That he must excuse my papa 'cause he couldn't leave the store.
That he must excuse my papa 'cause he couldn't leave the store.

"Nellie says that may be I shall very soon be called away.
If papa was only ready, I should like to go today.
But if I should go before him to that world of light and joy,
Then I guess he'd want to come to heaven to see his little boy.
Then I guess he'd want to come to heaven to see his little boy."

["If Papa Were Only Ready" is song #415 (of 750) in "Sacred Songs and Solos" compiled by Ira David Sankey, published ca. 1888. (There were several editions.)]

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,ylime
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 05:09 PM

I always cry when I hear the Last Leviathan, and deportee gets me pretty bad too. I have never heard the song version of Christmas in the trenches performed,but the poem is one of the most powerful I have ever heard

emily

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From:
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 05:13 PM

saddest song....hmm.. a tough one but " The Hobboes lullaby" by Woody guthrie (?) sung by Emmy Lou Harris is up there The Band played Waltzin' Matilda is a great Anti War song Fire and rain , James Taylor but as a boy a record called " A little dog cried" always set me howling with tears. My brother would put the record on the player and see who would cry first!

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 05:34 AM

Has to be Liam O Raghallaigh, which starts:

An chuimhin leat an oiche ud...

(Do you remember that night)

the night in question being the night of the wedding that the widowed bride is remembering; she says (I translate): "Do you remember that night, the streets full of action - priests and brothers talking about our wedding..."

It goes on into a desperate and tragic lament; in the second verse she sings: "A bride and a widow I was left on my wedding night..."

By the third or fourth verse she's describing in graphic detail how the body of her beloved must be: "The eels have your eyes, and the crabs your sweet mouth; your two long, bright, bright-shining arms are under the harsh discipline of the salmon".

And she ends with a curse on the craftsmen who made the boat, saying that if they'd gone to a place known for its good quality wood, the boat would not have sunk, and "My thousand-times treasure would not have drowned on the coast of Malbay".

The tune, too, is a keen, beautiful, eerie and tragic.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Shonagh
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 03:15 PM

-The Cruel Mother -The Twa Corbies -Barbara Allan -Get me through December on Nat MacMasters album In my Hands

Theres plently more but i just cant think of any!!

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: kendall
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 05:29 AM

Not that it matters, but, I believe Hobo's Lullaby was written by Goebel Reeves.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Em
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:17 PM

Saddest song (at least, the most tragic song) has to be "4 O'Clock In The Morning." Dunno who wrote it but I heard it sung by the Pogues. It really is a depressing little number.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Lucius
Date: 03 Mar 02 - 11:54 PM

Fairytale of New York by the Pogues, THe Ballad of Penny Evans by Steve Goodman or any one of a dozen tunes by Tom Waits.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Zipster
Date: 04 Mar 02 - 05:53 AM

Context obviously adds to the effect. I had boght the single of Drive (by the Cars???) before Live Aid as she liked the song. It was only when it was used against video images that it made me weep like a bucket.

Context again, Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton.

Recent thread reminded me that the phrase, "no mammies kisses and no daddie's smiles", in Nobody's child can set me off.

I welled up listening yesterday to Matt McGInn singing Q4 about the sense of pride and identity that Glasgow as a city was once able to take from the ships they built and sent to sea.

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 02 - 03:08 AM

Amazing fact that we do see In this here U S A The Supeme Court it stopped the vote And put in Bush that day

Twas Bush who can not talk and chew Is run by CIA With Stragelove well in place right now Last chance for USA

The people waft all too the sky On internet and TV They trip right over homeless folks In this society

No need for films of World War two The FBI has come And focused on it's certin folks With some concentration

The many armies of US Go bombing everywhere With death of countless innocents The people still don't care

What will it take to wake us up I really do not know With atom bomb in sutcase now We really have to grow

Amazng Grace you do recall Turned a slaveship around You folkies all now is the time To be twice as profound (Would you believe how late I just stayed up) c 2001 Eric Levine Feel free to improve it But that is what I am so so sad about

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST,Rayshuck
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 09:21 AM

The song "Long before your time" which we as an Irish Group play at every gig, but as the singer I cannot hold back the tears. Maybe I`m too sentimental but the poem/song "If Papa were only ready" which I read for the first time creates immediate emotional tears. My wife thinks I should cease playing/singing emotional songs...what say. Ray

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 09:49 AM

The Orphan Train (Tom Russell)...
Kilkelly

Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written
From: Sandy McLean
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 12:01 PM

Slippers With Wings
Put My Little Shoes Sway
Long Before Your Time
First Fall Of Snow
Little Rosa
Nobody's Child