# Recommend me some sad songs, with lyrics. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 6, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629 "2006-05-06T01:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/21 "2006-05-06T05:11:15Z")
Ray Charles - [**Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I)**](http://theguitarguy.com/hardtime.htm) _My mother told me Before she passed away Said son when I’m gone Don’t forget to pray_ And it gets sadder from there. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/22 "2006-05-06T05:24:43Z")
‘Miserere’ by Allegri has lyrics (after a fashion), but they’re in Latin: the melody itself is absolutely haunting. “She’s Like the Swallow”, an old Nova Scotia ballad, is haunting too, and Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” is always good for a slow, sad, reflective mood. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/23 "2006-05-06T05:29:12Z")
In perfect coincidence with Cinco De Mayo, I offer you the classic Mexican folk song, _La Llorona_ (“The Crying Woman”). (I can play it on guitar and sing it too if you want to hear it!) \*Salías del templo un dia llorona cuando al pasar yo te ví. (2x) Hermoso huipil llevabas, Llorona, que la Virgen te creí. (2x) \* Translation (each verse 2x): \*You were leaving the temple one day, Llorona As I passed I saw you Such a beautiful shawl you wore, Llorona That I believed you to be the virgin \* ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/24 "2006-05-06T05:54:25Z")
Harry Chapin wrote a lot of sad songs, most famously “The Cat’s in The Cradle”, but also “I Am The Morning Deejay (for W-O.L.D.)” and others. For haunting sad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/25 "2006-05-06T05:56:02Z")
[QUOTE=interface2x] **Assemblage 23** “Disappoint” (about his father’s suicide) **Assemblage 23** “30KFT” The last song (“30kft”) is particularly chilling. [/QUOTE] These were the two I was going to mention. “Disappoint” gets to my husband, since he never met his real father, and he’s dead now, but he didn’t want anything to do with him. So my husband has all these questions left unanswered, and really manages to connect to this song. I wanted to mention it, but wasn’t sure if I was a bit biased because of it. My husband’s sadness is mine, now, too, because we are so close, so naturally, it’s a very sad song to me. But 30kft… I can’t even listen to it. When the album “Storm” first came out, we rushed out to buy it, and listened to it in the car as we drove around, running our errands together. I loved the whole album, but that song ends everything off… it’s the only song that’s ever reduced me to gasping sobs. I couldn’t handle it. Maybe it was too close to the whole 9/11 thing, but it hit me so damn hard. Shit, I’m welling up right now. Damnit. It’s _sad_. Never, ever has a song made me feel so goddamn sad. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/26 "2006-05-06T06:03:27Z")
I’ve posted this one before. _Might As Well Be On Mars_ by Alice Cooper. How’s this for heartbreaking? _I’m on the roof and I’m staring at the stars Looking down at all the cars_ And the bridge, which gets me every time… _Baby, I can’t fly If I could, I’d come down to you Maybe I should try…_ Full lyrics here - [http://www.sickthingsuk.co.uk/lyrics/hs.php#6](http://www.sickthingsuk.co.uk/lyrics/hs.php#6) ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/27 "2006-05-06T12:32:06Z")
My favorite sad songs is _Something’s Always Wrong_ by Toad the Wet Sprocket. _Another day I call and never speak And you would say nothing’s changed at all_ There’s also _I Can’t Make You Love Me_ by Bonnie Raitt: _Turn down the lights, turn down the bed Turn down these voices inside my head_ If you like classic rock, there’s also _Time For Me To Fly_ by REO Speedwagon. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/28 "2006-05-06T12:47:48Z")
I give you “Marie” by Townes Van Zandt. * * * Well, the man’s still grinnin’ says he lost my file I gotta stand in line again I want to kill him but I just say no I had enough of that line my friend ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/29 "2006-05-06T15:06:39Z")
Another couple by Richard Thompson: \*\*King of Bohemia \*\* (The song is named after the London pub ouside which he saw the incident that inspired it). _Let me rock you in my arms I’ll hold you safe and small A refugee from the Seraphim In your rich girl rags and all_… And: **Woods of Darney** _I found your picture in a corporal’s pocket His cold fingers still pressed it to his chest_… ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/30 "2006-05-06T18:48:15Z")
[QUOTE=Rigamarole] In perfect coincidence with Cinco De Mayo, I offer you the classic Mexican folk song, _La Llorona_ (“The Crying Woman”). (I can play it on guitar and sing it too if you want to hear it!) [/QUOTE] OK, if we’re doing foreign languages I have plenty – there are _so many_ sad Israeli songs, it isn’t even funny :eek: One that makes me cry every time is “[Children of] Winter, '73”, performed by one of the Army Bands in the mid 1990’s – by the very same “Children of '73” “73” is, of course, a reference to the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. A Sample of the translation: “… When we were born the elders blessed with tears in their eyes They said: “we wish those kids will not have to go to the army” And your faces in the old picture prove …” The full lyrics, as well as a transliteration of the Hebrew, and a link to the Hebrew words, can be found [here](http://www.hebrewsongs.com/song-choref73.htm) The song also has a haunting tune… If you want to listen to the song, email me (address in profile) ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/31 "2006-05-06T18:51:40Z")
[QUOTE=Noone Special] The full lyrics, as well as a transliteration of the Hebrew, and a link to the Hebrew words, can be found [here](http://www.hebrewsongs.com/song-choref73.htm) The song also has a haunting tune… If you want to listen to the song, email me (address in profile) [/QUOTE] Sorry, bad link. Correct like in [this one](http://mp3music.gpg.co.il/lyrics/8091.html) ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/32 "2006-05-06T19:49:57Z")
Happy Rhodes (it’s her real name and does not reflect the music she writes) specializes in sad songs. They’re not all she does, but she has a ton of them. That’s why she’s my musical soul mate. This one is, I think, the saddest. If you want sad songs, please listen to this one at least once. (Links go to mp3s. I have her [permission](http://wretchawry.com/happy/samples) to share her music and lyrics, btw.) **The Chariot** is from the point of view of an abused and neglected child from a broken home, who’s afraid to say anything about their situation. When the non-custodial parent comes to visit, to the child they look like a god coming down the street in a chariot, come to take the child away from the pain and horror. But when the visitation is over, the parent takes the child back, never even noticing what the thought of going back is doing to the child. This happens over and over again. > [@](#): > > [The Chariot](http://wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_ManyWorldsAreBornTonight03_TheChariot.mp3) > > How can you just turn away > My spirit fades each day you make me stay ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/33 "2006-05-06T20:41:16Z")
**The Town I Loved So Well** by The Dubliners _But when I returned how my eyes have burned_ **Whistles the Wind** by Flogging Molly _Well it breaks my heart to see you this way The beauty in life, where’s your God?_ And another vote for **The Band Played Waltzing Matilda**. That’s a killer. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/34 "2006-05-06T21:16:47Z")
From Cruxhadows’ [Winterborn](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Winter-Born-This-Sacrifice-lyrics-The-Cr%C3%BCxshadows/5E3CACC8DE4F295048256E07001403D9) > [@](#): > > … > (prepare for battle) > > And in the fury of this darkest hour > We will be your light > You’ve asked me for my sacrifice… ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/35 "2006-05-06T21:58:32Z")
More \*\*Richard Thompson \*\*… “Withered and Died” “How Will I Ever Be Simple Again” And I’m not the world’s biggest **Phil Collins** fan, but the song “You Know What I Mean” from his first solo album never fails to choke me up. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/36 "2006-05-06T22:22:05Z")
One of the saddest songs I know is “Sand and Water,” written by Beth Nielsen Chapman after the death of her husband. A few lines: All alone I came into this world, All alone I will someday die. Solid stone is just sand and water, baby; Sand and water, and a million years gone by. I will see you in the light of a thousand suns, I will hear you in the sound of the waves. I will know you when I come, as we all will come, Through the doors beyond the grave. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/37 "2006-05-06T22:30:19Z")
Not a country fan, but “Who’s That Man” by idiot Toby Keith is a pretty damn depressing tale of a divorced dad. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/38 "2006-05-06T23:21:32Z")
I had a big bad post with a bunch of links to the lyrics for these songs and such, but then Firefox decided it hated me and that it was time to send an error report. So, ladies and gentlemen, I recreate it now. These are some song on my Depressing Songs playlist. Most links lead the way to lyrics. [REM](http://www.remhq.com/flash/lyrics/lyrics.html) 1. Nightswimming 2. Everybody Hurts 3. At My Most Beautiful [Chris Tomas King](http://www.songwords.net/waiguo/soundtrack/obrother/005.htm) 1. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues Squirrel Nut Zippers–who have disappeared off the face of the earth 1. [My Drag](http://www.lyricstime.com/squirrel-nut-zippers-my-drag-lyrics.html) 2. [Low Down Man](http://www.lyricstime.com/squirrel-nut-zippers-low-down-man-lyrics.html) [Evanescence](http://www.evanescence.com/)–click on Music for lyrics 1. My Immortal 2. Going Under [The Cardigans](http://www.cardigans.com/?sid=lyrics) 1. My Favourite Game 2. Paralyzed _Hair_ Original Cast Recording 1. [Easy to Be Hard](http://janfox.com/sixties_live_lyrics.htm#Easy%20To%20Be%20Hard) (Lynn Kellogg) [Portishead](http://www.alwaysontherun.net/portis.htm) 1. Roads 2. Mourning Air 3. Wandering Star Jeff Buckley 1. [Lover, You Should’ve Come Over](http://www.jeffbuckley.com/lyricsPop.asp?id=23&SecID=2) Cowboy Junkies 1. Dead Flowers (from the _Big Lebowski Soundtrack_) 2. [Come Calling (His Song)](http://www.cowboyjunkies.com/albums/album_details.php?album_id=7#) (Track 5) 3. [Sweet Jane](http://www.cowboyjunkies.com/albums/album_details.php?album_id=6#) (Track 12) [1. [url=[http://www.nataliemerchant.com/history/lyrics/song\_lyrics/o\_songs/ophelia.php](http://www.nataliemerchant.com/history/lyrics/song_lyrics/o_songs/ophelia.php)]Ophelia](]Natalie Merchant[/url) 2. [Frozen Charlotte](http://www.nataliemerchant.com/history/lyrics/song_lyrics/f_songs/frozenCharlotte.php) 3. [The Butcher’s Boy](http://www.nataliemerchant.com/BuriedTreasure/butchersboy/index.html)–You can listen to it at this link and watch a weird-ish flash animation. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/39 "2006-05-06T23:29:20Z")
[QUOTE=Freudian\_Slip] OK … I officially dislike the OP for making me think of this one 😛 \*Feed Jake [/QUOTE] Oh, geez, the first time I heard that song I was at the mall, not realizing they were carrying on a kaoroke competition. I had to leave because I was crying so hard an dpeople were starting. That said, one song that always gets me is Erasure’s “My Heart So Blue.” I didn’t bother putting it on my iPod, because I mostly listen to it in the car, and don’t need to be breaking down crying while I’m driving! For me it’s the combo of the tune and lyrics. I’ve got her picture It’s there on the wall I can’t remember why I keep it at all ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/40 "2006-05-06T23:35:13Z")
Uh, **Sam Stone** by **John Prine** \*Sam Stone, came home To his wife and family After serving in the conflict overseas And the time that he served had shattered all his nerves and left a little shrapnel in his knee But the morphine eased the pain And the grass grew round his brain And gave him all the confidence he lacked With a purple heart and a monkey on his back There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes Jesus Christ died for nothing, I suppose Little pitchers have big ears Don’t stop to count the years Sweet songs never last too long On broken radios \* etc. (hopefully that’s a short enough segment to avoid the copyright police - less than a third of the song) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629.md?page=3)