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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: 14fret Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:21 PM Casey's Last Ride. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Art Thieme Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:09 PM "Molly" by Biff Rose can be heard at his website. It is worth it!! He's still active. Back in the '70s I opened the show for Biff at Charlott's Web--a fine folk club in Rockford, Illinois. Art |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Amanda (Emotinal Girl) Date: 30 Apr 07 - 04:32 PM Hmm... I Like Your Guardian Angel By Red Jumpsuit Apperatus And Your Call By SecondHand Serenade There Are Also Alot Of Sad Songs By Evanescence She Wrote A Song Called Last Song Im Waisting On You. And It Talks About Her Ex Boyfriend And How He Was An Alcohallic and he would always hurt her (as In Telling Her Stuff Like He Hates Her.) and then one day he Pined Her Down And Screamed That he Wanted Her To Die. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Ebbie Date: 30 Apr 07 - 03:29 PM There are so many. Sometimes on music night we'll get into the saddest mode you can imagine and at some point someone will order a round of "the happiest song you know". Otherwise we'd all slit our wrists... I agree that sometimes a tune is just as sad as lyrics; Campbell's Farewell to Red Gap' and 'Lament for the Reverend Archie Beaton' come to mind. The songs I think of as MOST sad are those that speeak of human frailties. For instance, 'The Fields Have Turned Brown' which has him roaming the world for years secure in the knowledge that when he went home again they'd be there waiting- and when he does, they have been dead for years... 'Kilkelly' is heartbreaking. 'No Man's Land' as sung by Collette Costa leaves me snivelling. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Tunesmith Date: 30 Apr 07 - 03:15 PM "White Girl" by Peter LaFarge. Now, this is sad. It's about a Native American young man rejected by the white girl of the title. I used to perform the song back in the 60s. I learned the song from a copy of Sing Out mag ( I think it had Peter on the cover), and there was no tempo indication given. Years later, I heard Johnny Cash's version, and he seemed to sprint through it! |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Etan Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:34 PM I've been indulging my masochism by reviewing this thread, and I'll indulge in a bit of sadism by adding to it. Some of my favorite sad songs have been mentioned several times ("No Man's Land", "The Dutchman", "Streets of London") but some are oddly missing. My nominations for the ten saddest songs of all time, in the not yet mentioned division, are ... 1) Molly, by Biff Rose (If you've never heard Biff Rose, this song deserves a listen.) 2) Angel Over Montgomery, by John Prine rec with Bonnie Raitt (Best version is the duet on the Steve Goodman benefit album.) 3) Freeborn Man of the Travelling People by Ewan MacColl (Is this actually a trad song 'discovered' by MacColl?) 4) Changes by Phil Ochs 5) Walking on a Wire, by Richard Thompson, sung by Linda Thompson 6) Brother Can Spare A Dime, Yip Harburg (You've got to hear him sing his own song to fully appreciate it) 7) Ashoken Farewell, Jay Ungar (You don't need words to make a song achingly sad.) 8) Rambling Man, by Hank Williams (Sung at an exquisitely painful slow tempo.) 9) Joe Hill, lyr Alfred Hayes, mus Earl Robinson (Not to mention Billy Bragg's reworking of it re Phil Ochs) 10) Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, by Bob Dylan (also Percy's Song by BD.) I am now going to hunker down behind a conveniently located virtual stone wall, while the brickbats fly. -- Etan Ben-Ami |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Herge Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:20 PM Jacob's dream from the new Alison Krauss CD - Boo Hoo Herge |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,cookieless bloke Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:14 PM Sand and Water by Beth Nielsen Chapman, written after her husband died. Listen to it and don't cry, you ain't got heart. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Gan Ainm Date: 30 Apr 07 - 10:26 AM "Rosemary's Sister" - by Huw & Tony Williams [ think that's their names ] "Your Mother & I" - Louden Wainwright III "Galway To Graceland" - Richard Thompson - but all beautiful songs |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Stephen L. Rich Date: 30 Apr 07 - 05:46 AM I'm not exactly certain who wrote it. but country singer George Jone recorded a song called "He Stopped Loving Her Today". That song is about equal in it's sadness with Tom Dundee's "McBride Argyle Station Furnished Rooms". Stephen Lee |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Jim Lad Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:12 AM Old Shep. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Gene Date: 30 Apr 07 - 02:05 AM Brian Hoskin listed one of my all time favorites by Hank Williams - 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' A few others that bring tears are: 'The Death Of Kathy Fiscus' [April the 8th, the year '49] I was 'glued' to the radio during that tragic event and I got out my guitar and sang that song every year for 50 years....Ironically, I got the phone call that my brother died on April the 8th, 2001. 'Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer' has sad and fond memories also, I was 10 years old when my brother's B-17 was shot down on his VERY LAST mission in 1944 in WWII (He was crew chief and Top Turret Gunner). With two engines out and losing fuel, they dumped all the guns and everything they could, including all the guns and the Norden bombsight in the Adriatic Sea, having minutes of fuel remaining when they made it to a little DOT of an island off Yugoslavia. After his death in 2001 I was able via the internet to locate several of the personnel he had flown on that FINAL mission and on previous other missions. The Pilot of that B-17, and a bombadier, a navigator, a belly turret gunner and a photographer/waist gunner from other earlier missions. and '50,000 Names On The Wall' Gene |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Arkie Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:02 PM Milly's Cafe and White Rose by Fred Eaglesmith and two songs recorde by James KingHere Today and Gone Tomorrow and Roy Lee. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: SINSULL Date: 29 Apr 07 - 09:39 PM I was just listening to "Mary of the Wild Moor" performed by Helen Schneyer. A long drive back from NYC. True tear jerker. And "Are All Your Matches Sold, Tom" Shameless! My first thread. Seven years ago. WOW! |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: oldhippie Date: 29 Apr 07 - 07:11 PM Donald & Lydia - John Prine Down To Seeds and Stems Again |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Eye Lander Date: 29 Apr 07 - 03:46 PM I agree 'The Dutchman' sung by Hilary (MGAS) and a coup1e of others, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' and 'Victor Jara' both Mike Harding's versions. Jillie |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Deckman Date: 29 Apr 07 - 03:15 PM I'm glad that someone re-visited this thread. I have another choice: "Mary Of The Wild Moor." Bob |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: mrmoe Date: 29 Apr 07 - 02:52 PM "this nearly was mine" from south pacific..... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Ravenheart Date: 29 Apr 07 - 02:51 PM Coming upon this old thread, I see a reference to a song by Tom Paxton about Phil Ochs' suicide, but none to "No More Songs," which was simply a suicide note set to a tune. Ochs' "The Scorpion Departs but Never Returns" should qualify as the second-saddest song, overtly about the disappearance of a nuclear submarine but reflecting the death of an age and loss of meaning. "We will forgive you, we will forgive you Tell me we will forgive you" |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: LukeKellylives (Chris) Date: 29 Apr 07 - 02:48 PM The Town I Loved So Well - Luke Kelly Raglan Road - Luke Kelly Tramps and Hawkers/Come me Little Son - Luke Kelly The Wild Rover (MUCH different than the one you're thinking of) - The Irish Tradition As I Roved Out - Planxty And a lot of others... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Rasener Date: 29 Apr 07 - 02:42 PM I happen to think that George Papavgeris wrote a song called Empty Handed in 2002. It was basically about somebody who had invested all his money into his/her business and it went pear shaped, and the person had to go home and tell the family. It happened to me and I would think many more. I hope I have interpreted that correct George, becuase it sure does make me think of the worst time in my life (not the same sort of business - but the feeling was the same). Empty Handed Lyrics George Papavgeris Live singing Empty Handed Got tears in my eyes as I watch it. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Wilson Date: 29 Apr 07 - 01:51 PM I was very angry when I found out that I was not registered in an Exam that I am suppose to write. It really pained me a lot. I was very sad that day, but I just had to leave it like that because that's the challenges we have to face sometimes and we have to overcome them |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: YorkshireYankee Date: 21 Dec 03 - 01:08 AM Ethereal Purple, It's not just the tune of "Send in the Clowns" that's sad - it's a poignant, bitter, wistful song about two people who can never quite get their relationship to work. And (I assume) Sondheim used the phrase "send in the clowns" in reference to the circus practice of sending in the clowns to distract the crowd when a serious mishap (probably tragic more often than not) has occurred. So "Send in the Clowns" is an excellent choice all round! Cheers, YY |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Ethereal Purple Date: 20 Dec 03 - 10:54 PM Puff the Magic Dragon definitely - although my friends all think I'm mad :-) Hobo's Lullaby Streets of London Patriot Game Donna Donna Hallelujah - the Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright versions... it's an amazing song! Tears in Heaven - Clapton Lara's Theme Love Story Send in the Clowns - just the tune, I guess. Someday I'll fly away - from Moulin Rouge Last Kiss Arms of an Angel and When She Loved Me - Sarah McLachlan Bridge over troubled water Plaisir D'Amour - any version... but maybe, especially Joan Baez. River in the Pines Norah Jones always makes me feel sad. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Brakn Date: 20 Dec 03 - 06:58 AM Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father Definately not folk but certainly sentimental. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,K Date: 20 Dec 03 - 04:45 AM The beautiful voice of Kate Wolf gives sad songs that extra dimension. A few of her songs are mentioned here. To me Kate's cover of Woody Guthrie's poem 'One By One' is the saddest song I know |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DEAREST MARTHA (John McCutcheon) From: Robin2 Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:47 PM Oops, forgot this one. A real tear jerker Dearest Martha words & music by John McCutcheon Dearest Martha, when you find this, there'll be nothing you can do To change the way our lives have turned out, it's not up to me and you All the bills are paid through New Years, all the notes are in the drawer The insurance ought to help, I wish I could have left you more Now, no one could call me lazy and I know that I ain't dumb And no one in this valley knew these awful times would come As the costs keep climbing higher, the prices never rise While our mouths are filled with questions they just fill our ears with lies That banker I made wealthy just ten short years ago Now sits across his pin-striped desk politely saying "No" Men who've never known a hard time or soiled their soft white hands Turn farmers into failures and drive us from our lands In years to come there'll be the stories, such tales they're sure to tell: "A fourth generation farmer, and he let it go to hell!" I know that I'm a good man, but I never can forget There's nothing left to leave the children but a thousand acre debt But I read it in the papers and I see it on TV How everything is back on track, what the hell is wrong with me? I've worked as hard as any man to bring the ground to grain But each September brings the harvest, the heartache and the blame So, Martha, lay me in the orchard underneath the flowering plum And face me to the east so I can see the rising sun And remember when the days were young and happy ones for me And the land was ripe with promises as far as I could see... So sorry this is true... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Robin2 Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:28 PM Oh my, so many already mentioned, Killkelly, The Bravest, Desperados Waiting For The Train, I would add "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive", by Darrell Scott And the the song "Sometimes", by Jonathan Edwards a song to his departed wife. A song about learning to live alone |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: YorkshireYankee Date: 19 Dec 03 - 10:37 PM "Perfumes of Arabia" (above) is the first time I've tried to post a song here for "harvesting"; I read the FAQ & tried to do it properly - making sure to put in the line breaks - but there seem to be too many spaces between lines... can anyone tell me what I've done wrong? Cheers, YY |
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Subject: Lyr Add: PERFUMES OF ARABIA (Maggie Holland) From: YorkshireYankee Date: 19 Dec 03 - 09:39 PM PERFUMES OF ARABIA (Maggie Holland) I was driving on a journey when I turned my radio on Thinking to hear a story or some old familiar song But all I heard were voices telling me a foreign war They were counting Scuds and Patriots, they were telling me the score I heard the voice of the airman as his plane fell from the sky I heard the man in the foxhole as he watched his brother die I heard the last sad song of the dolphin as he drowned in a filthy sea I heard the mother weep aloud for her dead child on her knee They say the sands are filled with corpses and the wells are filled with blood The snows on the distant mountains make many's the tiny shroud The clouds are black as thunder, they do not hold sweet rain There is only death and poison to fall to earth again I couldn't bear to hear it so I turned the volume down Turned into a garage in some little Hampshire town Filled up my car as I took the air of this green and pleasant land And then I recognized the smell of blood upon my hand I've tried sandalwood and roses, I've tried eau de cologne as well Calvin Klein, Chanel number 5, it cannot ease the smell I've tried in every Body Shop I can find throughout the land But the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. On Maggie Holland's 1992 album Down to the Bone Sung by Martin Carthy later in the year on his and Dave Swarbrick's album Skin and Bone. An earlier live version sung by Martin Carthy on October 17, 1991 at Graffiti's, Pittsburg was released in 2001 on The Carthy Chronicles. VAF (note: found the lyrics on a website (http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/martin.carthy/songs/perfumesofarabia.html); can't help wondering if the third line should be: "But all I heard were voices telling me of a foreign war" - but the only other website I found with the lyrics has the exact same typos (which I've corrected) as this one ["filithy" instead of "filthy" and "moutain" instead of "mountain"], so I don't entirely trust either of them. Unfortunately, I don't have a recording to hand, so I can't check.) |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: aibreán Date: 19 Dec 03 - 09:24 PM These all instantly make me low: Love Song: Vashti Bunyan Blind Love: Tom Waits Ne Me Quitte Pas: Nina Simone Mill O' Tifty: Old Blind Dogs The Two Trees: Loreena McKennitt *sniff* -aibreán, fool for sad love songs. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: YorkshireYankee Date: 19 Dec 03 - 09:09 PM Most of my "favorite" saddest songs have already been mentioned; Annachie Gordon, Kilkelly Ireland, There Were Roses, White Squall, The Joy of Living have all had me in tears over the years. Christmas in the Trenches doesn't make me cry, but sometimes when I sing it, I get a shiver down my spine when I get to the lines "But the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame/ And on each end of the rifle, we're the same." Another Stan Rogers song - Lies - I find incredibly moving (although not sad). But it took me months to get to the point where I could sing it without losing it/getting all choked up on the last verse. A couple of more recently-written sad songs: Paxton's The Bravest - packs quite an emotional whallop, and Perfumes of Arabia (written by Maggie Holland about the [first] Gulf War) is - sadly - possibly more appropriate today than when it was first written. I'll go ahead & post it here (but in a separate message), as it's still so relevant & doesn't seem to be in the DT yet... Cheers, YY |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,anais Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:38 PM the ones that i cannot listen to all the way through (let alone sing) without getting teary are "down where the drunkards roll" and "christmas in the trenches"...i can sing "annan waters" and i'm fine, but if i hear robbie o'connel sing it i'm a goner. same goes for the nina simone version of "just like tom thumb's blues"...there's something so desolate in her voice. anais |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Brakn Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:22 PM The Man Who Couldn't Cry - Loudon Wainwright It Only Hurts For A Little While - Margo Smith She's Leaving Home - Beatles and a few other that have already been mentioned. Too many... |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Jeep man Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:00 PM Its gotta be "Little Bessie", hands down. Jim |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: akenaton Date: 19 Dec 03 - 01:54 PM Mary Chapin Carpenter's "John Doe no 24"..Is one of the saddest songs Iv ever heard....Ake |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Teribus Date: 18 Dec 03 - 02:23 PM Another Eric Bogle song - "As if he knows" |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Rain Dog Date: 18 Dec 03 - 12:55 PM I think the Tom Waits song Georgia Lee is one of the saddest songs It has been covered by Solas and also by Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman. After the Waits original I think the Roberts & Lakeman version is a very good one. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,ParaHandy Date: 05 Dec 02 - 02:06 PM I will go (title might be different) - telling the story of the Highlanders who went to fight for king and country who on returning were thrown off their land. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Nevada Date: 05 Dec 02 - 04:35 AM Hi Everyone! Does no-one else think that "Family" is the saddest song ever? sorry i cant remember who wrote it but if you agree with me then you'll know it anyway! Luv AAA x |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Neighmond Date: 04 Dec 02 - 08:07 PM The old version of "little Bessie" is a tearjearker- I always did like the song "one day at a time" |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST Date: 04 Dec 02 - 07:23 PM "I Know You by Heart"-sung by eva Cassidy Danny boy |
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Subject: Lyr Add: JUST BEHIND THE TIMES From: GUEST,Newfiegirl Date: 03 Dec 02 - 09:44 PM "Just behind the times" A party in our little Village, People gathered in a little room, A meeting of importance there to hold, They had decided that their Minister, Although they loved him well, He must resign, for he was growing old. They wrote to him this letter, And he read it or'er and or'er, As burning tears fell on each cruel line, For written in this letter Was your sermons are today, It also read, your just behind the times. Just behind the time so they told him, Your just behind the time, Your voice has lost it's sweetness, Like bells that lost it's chime, He cannot hold their attention, He faulters or'er his lines, His power is gone, and few will mourn, For he's just behind the times. The Church was crowded Sunday morning, For it was rumored round the town, That a new Minster was going to preach. In that same old dusty Pulpet Where he had ruled for years, Another man had come, his flock to teach.. Well he spoke of love and politic's, And he spoke of fashions grand, Of sights he'd seen in many distant cline, The old man sat and listened, And he slowly bowed his head I guess they're right, I'm just behind the time. Just behind the time so they told him, Your just behind the time, Your voice has lost it's sweetness, Like bells that lost it's chime. He cannot hold their attention, He faulters or'er his lines, His power is gone, and few will mourn, For he's just behind the times. Well the sermon it was ended, And the old man sadly rose, Will you let me say a word before I go, As down the isle he staggred, To the Pulpit as of yours, With faulting steps and face as white as snow. I have buried all your loved ones, And I've wept beside their graves, I've shared your joys and sorrows many times, At last he made a start, The pain had broke his poor old heart, His last words were,I'm just behind the times. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Crump Date: 03 Dec 02 - 03:51 PM It has to be "Home Lads Home". An anon' poem put to music by a member of Bread and Roses and sung most effectively by Cockersdale. The recording features the late and much missed Keith Marsden. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Declan Date: 03 Dec 02 - 10:47 AM It was changed to "Did they sound the Death march". Incidentally I don't think the change was politically motivated if that's what was implied in the earlier post. You'll have to ask The Furey's why they actually changed the words but for what its worth the line "Sound the Death March" comes from another song with various titles (The Locke Hospital/Streets of Laredo/St James' Infirmary). which follows the words Play the drum slowly and play the fife lowly. I expect Eric Bogle borrowed from this style of song for the chorus of "No Man's Land" and the Furey's decided to put some of the words of the original song back in. Incidentally my favourite version of the song is the one by June Tabor who uses the original Eric Bogle words. In any case it seems to me that no thread about sad songs would be complete without mentioning June Tabor, whos concert at Sidmouth two years ago made the Doom and Gloom song contest sound like the happy hour. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,Geordie Date: 03 Dec 02 - 10:32 AM Just out of curiosity what was the line about the rifles firing o'er yyou changed to in No Man's Land ? |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST,BlueJay Date: 03 Dec 02 - 03:31 AM My vote still goes to Steve Goodman's "Ballad of Penney Evans", because IMO, in the near future, many young wives and mothers will be reliving this song. Right or wrong, this will happen, and until someone comes up with a better song for our times, "Penney Evans" sums it all up for me. BlueBlueJay |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: mike the knife Date: 02 Dec 02 - 03:50 PM A couple of Eric Bogle tunes "Green fields of France" & "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" get me every time. Tom Waits' "Kentucky Avenue" , I mean damn, who doesn't tear up when he's going to: "Steal a hacksaw from my dad and cut the braces off your legs" or "Take the spokes from your wheelchair, and some Magpie's wings, tie 'em to your shoulders and your feet" Whoah. btw, Where can I find a recording of "Randall Knife? |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 02 - 01:13 PM Well, if MacArthur Park doesn't qualify, I nominate: That's my girl, she's my world . . . But that ain't my truck. |
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Subject: RE: The Saddest Song Ever written From: Strupag Date: 02 Dec 02 - 12:02 PM I's interesting that Eric Bogle's song "The Green Fields of France" comes up a few times and yet what is even sadder is the fact that the song Title written by Bogle was "No Man's Land". It had also the line in the chorus "Will the rifles fire o'er ye" and this was also changed. Bogle was referring to the first world war's "No man's Land" and the "rifles" line referred to a military funeral. When the Irish bands started to do the song they saw the need to change the title and the line. That is truly sad. Andy |
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