# What are the saddest songs you know? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 28, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024 "2002-04-28T00:09:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/82 "2002-04-29T19:58:09Z")
they’re sad to me, ok. The Island- Paul Brady it’s about love and northern ireland and it makes me cry because it reminds me of home. Hey Johnny- Paul Brady my late friend jo’s favourite song. we sang it at the wake. makes me cry too. The River- Joni Mitchell “it’s coming on xmas, they’re cutting down trees” kind of sets the tone. I Want You- Elvis Costello a man who is obsessively in love with a woman who doesn’t love him, it’s sad. weird and creepy. but sad. Fields of Gold- Eva Cassidy’s version. enough said. Black Muddy River- Eliza Carthy english folk song and very beautiful. If you could read my mind, love- Gordon Lightfoot about the end of a relationship. and finally The Fields of Athenry because i’m irish. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/83 "2002-04-29T20:13:15Z")
The absolute saddest song I know? “Miner’s Lullaby” by Clandestine. A cheerful little ditty about how miners in past centuries carried a tin of morphine with them in case of a cave in, so they could die in their sleep instead of suffocating. Sung from the perspective of a miner’s wife after her husband has gone missing in a collapse. I always feel a bit uncomfortable applauding after that one when they perform it in concert… ---
**Author:** ![Doubting\_Robert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Doubting\_Robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubting_Robert)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/84 "2002-04-29T20:29:40Z")
Gee, this thread is really depressing me, even if I have never heard of most of the songs named above. (I haven’t decided whether that’s a bad thing or a good thing.) I will second “Wildfire,” “The Green, Green Grass of Home,” and “Teen Angel.” “Teen Angel” is one of many Dead Teenager Songs ™ that were popular when I was a teenageer - “Tell Laura I Love Her” is another. Not too long ago there was a thread on the subject. I’m not going to search for it - I suspect it was lost during The Winter of Our Disconnect, as someone else described it, and I am supposed to be working, anyhow. I once heard a song which was quite sad, and very unusual, called “Big Mabel Murphy.” I have not been able to find the lyrics, but this site: [http://www.geocities.com/oldpage8/index.html?963358089060](http://www.geocities.com/oldpage8/index.html?963358089060) seems to have a wave file of the song being sung by Sue Thompson. Unfortunately, I don’t have a sound card at work. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/85 "2002-04-29T20:32:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*The saddest song ever written is “Cat’s in the cradle” by Harry Chapin. > > I will _NOT_ argue about this. \*\* You’ll get no argument from me. I’d also like to nominate [“Taxi”](http://www.littlejason.com/chapin/songs/taxi.html), by Harry Chapin. When I was a kid, I could never listen to [“Diary”](http://www.yimpan.com/Songsite/Lyric/index.asp?sid=3451) by Bread without bawling my eyes out. And maybe because they played it during the closing credits in the movie “Untamed Heart,” but I can’t hear Nat King Cole’s [“Nature Boy”](http://www.lyricscafe.com/c/cole_natking/nature_boy.html) without getting choked up, either. Another movie theme one that’s really sad is [“The Morning After”](http://www.letssingit.com/lyrics/m/mcgovern-maureen/1.html) from The Poseidon Adventure. But the one I can’t believe no one’s mentioned yet is [“Puff the Magic Dragon”](http://mudhole.spodnet.uk.com/~bean/puff/puff_lyrics.html). [sub](Yeah, yeah, I know it’s not about a dragon and a boy, but still…\)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Doubting\_Robert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Doubting\_Robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubting_Robert)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/86 "2002-04-29T21:15:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shayna \* > \*\* > But the one I can’t believe no one’s mentioned yet is [“Puff the Magic Dragon”](http://mudhole.spodnet.uk.com/~bean/puff/puff_lyrics.html). [sub](Yeah, yeah, I know it’s not about a dragon and a boy, but still…\)[/sub] \*\* Ah, yes, another sad one from my youth. And from the same period, more or less: “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/87 "2002-04-29T21:37:42Z")
English Country Garden ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/88 "2002-04-30T03:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kilt-wearin’ man \* > \*\*The absolute saddest song I know? “Miner’s Lullaby” by Clandestine (snip)…I always feel a bit uncomfortable applauding after that one when they perform it in concert… \*\* eek…I know what you mean. I like to sing this one. (My father happens to like their “Cannonball song” as he specializes in prosthetic limbs. ) I’m also a fan of “Raglan Road” and have been known to sing that during “lock ins” at certain pubs. Cyn ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/89 "2002-04-30T04:12:19Z")
The saddest song I’ve ever heard (I hope it’s not been posted yet) is “Lost in the Moment” by Edie Brickell. It’s the last song on her “Picture Perfect Morning” CD. It’s about a husband who leaves in the morning for work only to get shot in a conveinance store shooting while his wife and child wait at home for him and spend their day doing their regular things and “lost in the moment” things. Then at the end she sings - “The tree that they planted has started to bloom. She wanted him to see this, she wanted him there. She wanted to kiss him and brush back his hair. Lost in the moment of what she needs”. Makes me tear up every time ☹ ---
**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:** [April 30, 2002, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/90 "2002-04-30T04:43:04Z")
**The Trinity Sessions** is one of my favorites, too. Another John Prine Entry: “Mexican Home”: _My father died, on the porch outside On an August afternoon, I sipped bourbon and beer and cried, By the light of the moon._\* ---
**Author:** ![MisterThyristor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MisterThyristor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterThyristor)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/91 "2002-04-30T04:57:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doubting Robert \* > \*\* > > (lead-in snipped) > > I once heard a song which was quite sad, and very unusual, called “Big Mabel Murphy.” I have not been able to find the lyrics, but this site: > [http://www.geocities.com/oldpage8/index.html?963358089060](http://www.geocities.com/oldpage8/index.html?963358089060) > seems to have a wave file of the song being sung by Sue Thompson. Unfortunately, I don’t have a sound card at work. \*\* Look [here](http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/b/bigmablemurphy.html) for the lyrics. Not exactly in the same class as some of the songs here, in my opinion, but interesting. ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/92 "2002-04-30T05:51:14Z")
Hmmm… The Cheiftains, The Long Black Veil Oh Death performed by Ralph Stanley Red Water by Type “O” Negative Wind that shakes the Barley performed by Dead Can Dance Adagio for strings composed by Samuel Barber Old Friend by Lyle Lovett Family Reserve by Lyle Lovett I have alot more… but these came to mind first… ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/93 "2002-04-30T05:52:25Z")
“Painters”-- Jewel “He said, ‘Love I leave, but only a little, try to understand I put my soul in this life we created with these four hands Love, I leave, but only a little, this world holds me still My body may die now, but these paintings are real’ So many seasons came and so many seasons went and many times she saw he love’s face watering the flowers, talking to the trees and singing to his children, And when the wind blew, she knew he was listening, and how he seemed to laugh along, an how he seemed to hold her when she was crying.” ☹ ---
**Author:** ![reoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@reoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reoch)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/94 "2002-04-30T07:45:02Z")
Queen - Love of My Life Something Corporate - Konstantine Smashing Pumpinks - 1979 Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities Oasis - Don’t Look Back in Anger Ben Folds - Still Fighting it…great song!!! There’s tons more… Reoch ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/95 "2002-04-30T07:57:24Z")
I once played Spiritualized’s “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are FLoating in Space” at work and was told to turn it off as it is (apparently) “music to commit suicide to”. You might have heard it in “Vanilla Sky”. It goes something like “All I need in life is a little bit of love to take the pain away”. If you can find it (using whatever method) try and get the original “Elvis” version which delayed the release of the album, as it had to be re-recorded without the “I can’t help falling in love with you” segments which the Elvis estate objected to. I also find a lot of Sigur Ros quite depressing, even though I have no idea what they are singing about. Low are not a particularly happy band either, especially their cover of “Transmission” (originally by Joy Division, another band not known for their bright disposition. I Believe someone above mentioned “Atmosphere”). I can’t remember much else at the minute. I am at work and my record collection isn’t. It is too early to really think anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jonny\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9f8e36/32.png) [@Jonny\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonny_T)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/96 "2002-04-30T12:19:10Z")
“American Pie” - Don McLean “The Nobodies” - Marilyn Manson “Youth of a Nation” - P.O.D “Missing you” - P(uff) D(a|i)ddy. Jonny T. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Larry\_Bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Bee)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/97 "2002-04-30T15:48:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lokij \* > \*\* > > The Cheiftains, The Long Black Veil > > \*\* Have you heard Lefty Frizzel’s (sp) version - much sadder IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/98 "2002-04-30T16:25:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PhiloVance \* > \*\*Throw Mama from the Train. a Kiss, a Kiss (Patti Paige) \*\* As long as we’re talking about Patti Page, _Tennessee Waltz_ always puts a lump in my throat - especially her version. Although years ago, when _Prairie Home Companion_ came to Nashville, the show closed with Garrison Keillor and Emmylou Harris doing a duet of _Tennessee Waltz_. I was in tears. I’m such a sucker for that song! ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/99 "2002-04-30T16:27:59Z")
I just heard “Best of My Love” by The Eagles. That one always gets me. ---
**Author:** ![Doubting\_Robert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Doubting\_Robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubting_Robert)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/100 "2002-04-30T17:03:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MisterThyristor \* > \*\* > > Look [here](http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/b/bigmablemurphy.html) for the lyrics. > > Not exactly in the same class as some of the songs here, in my opinion, but interesting. \*\* Thank you, **MisterThyristor**. “Mable?” No wonder I didn’t find it. Your site gives an earlier date than Sue Thompson’s recording, which seems to have been titled “Big Mabel Murphy”. I wonder if the original song was really spelled “Big Mable Murphy”? I keep forgetting to list the song I thought of first for this thread: [“Molly Malone”](http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/m/mollymalone.html). ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/101 "2002-04-30T17:46:51Z")
**Wonderful** by **Everclear**. This came out while I was in the middle of a divorce. Although my wife and I were pretty much in agreement on most issues & there was very little drama, our two children were having their world pulled out from under them. This song was (and still is) a very painful reminder of that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=6)