What’s the Saddest Song You Ever Heard?

"Ballad of the Green Berett. By Sgt. Barry Sadler.
Because I lost 5 of the best friends that I ever had in one night. Sept. 71.

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Cant "like" this post for the lost buddies reasons-but did because I love S.Sgt Sadlers songs-the flipside to the 78-was: The A-Team and I met him back in about 86 or 87. I have most of his books and love his character: Casca.
 
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Ashokan Farewell. If you watched Ken Burns Civil War series on PBS, you know this tune.
 
At the end of the movie A Bridge Too Far, the camera pans over the badly wounded soldiers who can not be evacuated and must be left behind when their comrades are forced to withdraw.

They sing the hymn Abide With Me.
 
I admit....

...Barry Manilow's 'Mandy' is a maudlin, sentimental thing, but I can feel what he's saying.

And yeah, 'The Ballad of the Green Beret', the last verse. "Put silver wings on my son's chest. Make him one, America's best...."

I think Pearl Jam's 'Last Kiss' is better than the original and downright sad. "Hold me darlin' for a little while.":(

And 'Mr. Bojangles' when the dog died.

How did I forget "Angie" and "Paint It Black"

Oh, another Harry Chapin..."Better Place To Be"

Joni Mitchell - 'River'
 
For me it is Willie Nelson singing Always on My Mind. It makes me think of my wife of 44 years who died in June 2106. We began to see each other in 1970 afte my last tour in Nam. We were married in 1972. She had to hold the family rudder straight while I served my last 16 years in the Corps. She was an angel and I fear I did not tell her that when I was deployed she was always on my mind. When I listen to that song I cry.

If you have never heard it, you can listen to it here: Willie Nelson - Always On My Mind - YouTube
 
River Of Tears - Eric Clapton

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI5Zi2OHhDU[/ame]
 
Here are a couple others.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzk0n7h6I-o[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38pNFM9a3k[/ame]
This last one gets to me when I know and love someone this describes and wonder if he will ever get it right.
 
Our Sons Funeral Song

Vince Gill- Go rest high on that mountain

Our son Spenser died at the age of ten in the Big Horn Mountains in a four-wheeler accident. This song was played at his funeral.
And always brings me to tears.

SWCA #1834
 
More Nominations

Here's my list to add to the great ones already mentioned.

Sarah MacLachlan's "Angel" about an opioid deceased band member is heart wrenching. Listen for the subtle string bass orchestration.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozKsQnRHb-c[/ame]

Amazing Grace seems to be the consensus winner. My favorite version is Judy Collins a capella choir version. The soaring tenor line, not seen in most traditional arrangements, transcends.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtteRD5bBNQ[/ame]

Here's a dark horse, Joni Mitchell's modern arrangement of "Both Sides Now", lamenting her look back on life. The ethereal orchestration melts the heart of stone.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCnf46boC3I[/ame]
 
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