More Sorrowful Songs (not by Mika)

[Naectegale]

Mika's Songs for Sorrow (and a chat with Sosi) started me thinking about the sad stories told in popular ballads over the centuries. Mika is cleary following in a very long tradition

 

This is the one Sosi mentioned to me - Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

 

Annabel Lee

 

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know

By the name of ANNABEL LEE;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

 

I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea;

But we loved with a love that was more than love-

I and my Annabel Lee;

With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven

Coveted her and me.

 

And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsman came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.

 

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,

Went envying her and me-

Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

 

But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we-

Of many far wiser than we-

And neither the angels in heaven above,

Nor the demons down under the sea,

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

 

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,

In the sepulchre there by the sea,

In her tomb by the sounding sea.

 

Edgar Allan Poe

[Naectegale]

Here's a cautionary christmas tale my Grandmother used to sing (apparently it's based on a true story )

 

The Mistletoe Bough

 

Thomas Haynes Bayley (1884)

 

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall

The holly branch shone on the old oak wall.

The Baron's retainers were blithe and gay,

Keeping the Christmas holiday.

 

The Baron beheld with a father's pride

His beautiful child, Lord Lovell's bride.

And she, with her bright eyes seemed to be

The star of that goodly company.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

 

"I'm weary of dancing, now," she cried;

"Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide, I'll hide,

And, Lovell, be sure you're the first to trace

The clue to my secret hiding place."

 

Away she ran, and her friends began

Each tower to search and each nook to scan.

And young Lovell cried, "Oh, where do you hide?

I'm lonesome without you, my own fair bride."

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

 

They sought her that night, they sought her next day,

They sought her in vain when a week passed away.

In the highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot,

Young Lovell sought wildly, but found her not.

 

The years passed by and their brief at last

Was told as a sorrowful tale long past.

When Lovell appeared, all the children cried,

"See the old man weeps for his fairy bride."

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

 

At length, an old chest that had long laid hid

Was found in the castle; they raised the lid.

A skeleton form lay mouldering there

In the bridal wreath of that lady fair.

 

How sad the day when in sportive jest

She hid from her lord in the old oak chest,

It closed with a spring and a dreadful doom,

And the bride lay clasped in a living tomb.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

Oh, the mistletoe bough.

 

The printed music is here, with some of the background story

 

http://www.users.dialstart.net/~2metres/poetry/mistletoebough/mistletoebough.htm

[Naectegale]

And a sad song about a maiden and a lover lost

 

Sweet Poll of Plymouth

By danthefiddleman

 

Sweet Poll of Plymouth was my dear,

When forc’d from her to go,

Adown her cheek rained many a tear,

My heart was fraught with woe.

Our anchor weigh’d for sea we stood,

The land we left behind,

Her tears then swell’d the briny flood,

My sighs increas’d the wind.

 

We ploughed the deep, and now between

Us lay the ocean wide,

For five long years I had not seen

My sweet, my bonny bride.

That time I sailed the world around,

All for my true love’s sake;

But press’d as we were homeward bound,

I thought my heart would break.

 

The press-gang bold I asked in vain

To let me once on shore;

I longed to see my Poll again,

But saw my Poll no more.

“And have they torn my love away,

“And is he gone,” she cried.

My Polly! sweetest flower of May!

She languished, drooped, and died.

 

…

 

from _The Universal Songster; or, Museum of Mirth: Forming the Most Complete, Extensive, and Valuable Collection of Ancient and Modern Songs in the English Language_ (1834)

 

(For some reason this one makes me giggle I have no heart )

[kaatje066]

And a sad song about a maiden and a lover lost

 

Sweet Poll of Plymouth

By danthefiddleman

 

...

 

The press-gang bold I asked in vain

To let me once on shore;

I longed to see my Poll again,

But saw my Poll no more.

“And have they torn my love away,

“And is he gone,” she cried.

My Polly! sweetest flower of May!

She languished, drooped, and died.

 

…

 

from _The Universal Songster; or, Museum of Mirth: Forming the Most Complete, Extensive, and Valuable Collection of Ancient and Modern Songs in the English Language_ (1834)

 

(For some reason this one makes me giggle I have no heart )

 

I don't know this song, but it remembers me of Irish folkmusic.

[Neiobi]

I actually had in mind some sorrowful songs but this lyrics are the saddest I've ever read I think:shocked:

I'll come up with some lighter ones though:naughty:

[Naectegale]

I don't know this song, but it remembers me of Irish folkmusic.

 

It is a folk song - Sweet Poll of Plymouth was a standard character in a lot of sailor songs.

[Naectegale]

I actually had in mind some sorrowful songs but this lyrics are the saddest I've ever read I think:shocked:

I'll come up with some lighter ones though:naughty:

 

Sadder the better for this thread

 

Here's a classic music hall song - This one has a happy ending (but I feel sorry for his mates who died - it was a little mean not to warn them too )

 

Don't go down the Mine, Dad

 

A miner was leaving his home for his work

When he heard his little child scream.

He went to his bedside, his little white face:

"Oh, Daddy, I've had such a dream.

I dreamt that I saw the pit all afire,

And men struggled hard for their lives;

The scene it then changed, and the top of the mine

Was surrounded by sweethearts and wives.

 

Refrain:

"Don't go down in the mine, Dad,

Dreams very often come true.

Daddy, you know it would break my heart

If anything happened to you.

Just go and tell my dream to your mates,

And as sure as the stars that shine,

Something is going to happen today--

Dear Daddy, don't go down the mine!"

 

 

The miner, a man with a heart good and kind,

Stood by the side of his son.

He said: "It's my living, I can't stay away.

For duty, my lad, must be done."

The little one looked up, and sadly he said:

"Oh please, stay today with me, Dad!"

But as the brave miner went forth to his work,

He heard this appeal from his lad:

 

Refrain:

"Don't go down in the mine," etc.

 

Whilst waiting his turn with his mates to descend,

He could not banish his fears.

He returned home again to his wife and his child,

Those words seemed to ring through his ears.

And ere the day ended the pit was on fire,

When a score of brave men lost their lives.

He thanked God above for the dream his child had,

As once more the little one cries:

 

Refrain:

"Don't go down in the mine," etc.

Edited May 17, 2009 by Naectegale

[kaatje066]

It is a folk song - Sweet Poll of Plymouth was a standard character in a lot of sailor songs.

 

Clever me

 

Didn't know that, thanks for explaining.

[Naectegale]

A more recent one - used to make me howl when I was little

 

Terry Jacks

 

Seasons In The Sun

 

 

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.

We've known each other since we're nine or ten.

Together we climbed hills or trees.

Learned of love and ABC's,

skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.

Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,

when all the birds are singing in the sky,

Now that the spring is in the air.

Pretty girls are everywhere.

When you see them I'll be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

But the hills that we climbed

were just seasons out of time.

Goodbye, Papa, please pray for me,

I was the black sheep of the family.

You tried to teach me right from wrong.

Too much wine and too much song,

wonder how I get along.

Goodbye, Papa, it's hard to die

when all the birds are singing in the sky,

Now that the spring is in the air.

Little children everywhere.

When you see them I'll be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

But the wine and the song,

like the seasons, all have gone.

Goodbye, Michelle, my little one.

You gave me love and helped me find the sun.

And every time that I was down

you would always come around

and get my feet back on the ground.

Goodbye, Michelle, it's hard to die

when all the bird are singing in the sky,

Now that the spring is in the air.

With the flowers ev'rywhere.

I whish that we could both be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

But the stars we could reach

were just starfishs on the beach

 

[Neiobi]

Oh those are just beautiful:wub2:

[Soaring Simpson]

Now this is what I call sorrowful-

 

Joseph Locke (the version my dad loved)

 

Or the Fureys

 

I'll take you home again, Kathleen

Across the ocean wild and wide

To where your heart has ever been

Since you were first my bonnie bride.

The roses all have left your cheek.

I've watched them fade away and die

Your voice is sad when e'er you speak

And tears bedim your loving eyes.

 

Chorus:

Oh! I will take you back, Kathleen

To where your heart will feel no pain

And when the fields are fresh and green

I'll take you to your home again!

 

I know you love me, Kathleen, dear

Your heart was ever fond and true.

I always feel when you are near

That life holds nothing, dear, but you.

The smiles that once you gave to me

I scarcely ever see them now

Though many, many times I see

A dark'ning shadow on your brow.

 

Chorus

 

To that dear home beyond the sea

My Kathleen shall again return.

And when thy old friends welcome thee

Thy loving heart will cease to yearn.

Where laughs the little silver stream

Beside your mother's humble cot

And brightest rays of sunshine gleam

There all your grief will be forgot.

 

Chorus

Edited May 17, 2009 by Soaring Simpson

[Naectegale]

Now this is what I call sorrowful-

 

Joseph Locke (the version my dad loved)

 

Or the Fureys

 

I'll take you home again, Kathleen

Across the ocean wild and wide

To where your heart has ever been

Since you were first my bonnie bride.

The roses all have left your cheek.

I've watched them fade away and die

Your voice is sad when e'er you speak

And tears bedim your loving eyes.

 

Chorus:

Oh! I will take you back, Kathleen

To where your heart will feel no pain

And when the fields are fresh and green

I'll take you to your home again!

 

I know you love me, Kathleen, dear

Your heart was ever fond and true.

I always feel when you are near

That life holds nothing, dear, but you.

The smiles that once you gave to me

I scarcely ever see them now

Though many, many times I see

A dark'ning shadow on your brow.

 

Chorus

 

To that dear home beyond the sea

My Kathleen shall again return.

And when thy old friends welcome thee

Thy loving heart will cease to yearn.

Where laughs the little silver stream

Beside your mother's humble cot

And brightest rays of sunshine gleam

There all your grief will be forgot.

 

Chorus

 

My Mother's tenor friend used to sing that when they went to entertain the old folks my dad used to ply piano for him

 

I think I must have been too young to understand the lyrics - I never realised they were so sad

[Naectegale]

I've found a youtube of The Mistletoe Bough - very melodramatic

 

[Soaring Simpson]

My Mother's tenor friend used to sing that when they went to entertain the old folks my dad used to ply piano for him

 

I think I must have been too young to understand the lyrics - I never realised they were so sad

 

It strikes me that there was a certain "wife dying" theme to my dad's favourites .

 

More seriously, there was a real tradition then of working class men in the north east- born round or before my dad's time of 1914- loving songs of sentiment (while their wives were too practical). It's a bit of social history that's being rewritten at the moment- and I don't like history being rewritten.

[Naectegale]

It strikes me that there was a certain "wife dying" theme to my dad's favourites .

 

More seriously, there was a real tradition then of working class men in the north east- born round or before my dad's time of 1914- loving songs of sentiment (while their wives were too practical). It's a bit of social history that's being rewritten at the moment- and I don't like history being rewritten.

 

I found "Don't go down the Mine Dad" on a family history site - recalled as "grandad's favourite" - http://www.olimu.com/Photographs/FamilyHistory/MothersParents.htm

 

I have a few of the Bamforth song postcards which have all these ballad lyrics on them - including "Don't go down the Mine Dad" - they were very popular

 

I've found a recording from the 1913 on an old cylinder

 

http://www.archive.org/details/FrankMiller-DontGoDownTheMineDad1913

Edited May 17, 2009 by Naectegale

[Soaring Simpson]

When I get home from work I'm gonna post "Alone again, Naturally" They don't get much more sorrowful than that!

 

Edit- Bugger, missed the bus, I'll post it now

 

Gilbert O'Sullivan. 1972. Didn't like braces then, don't like em now!

 

In a little while from now

If I'm not feeling any less sour

I promise myself to treat myself

And visit a nearby tower

And climbing to the top will throw myself off

In an effort to make it clear to who

Ever what it�s like when you�re shattered

Left standing in the lurch at a church

Where people saying: "My God, that's tough

She's stood him up"

No point in us remaining

We may as well go home

As I did on my own

Alone again, naturally

 

To think that only yesterday

I was cheerful, bright and gay

Looking forward to well wouldn�t do

The role I was about to play

But as if to knock me down

Reality came around

And without so much, as a mere touch

Cut me into little pieces

Leaving me to doubt

Talk about God and His mercy

Or if He really does exist

Why did He desert me in my hour of need

I truly am indeed Alone again, naturally

 

It seems to me that there are more hearts

broken in the world that can�t be mended

Left unattended

What do we do? What do we do?

 

Alone again, naturally

Now looking back over the years

And whatever else that appears

I remember I cried when my father died

Never wishing to hide the tears

And at sixty-five years old

My mother, God rest her soul,

Couldn�t understand why the only man

She had ever loved had been taken

Leaving her to start with a heart so badly broken

Despite encouragement from me

No words were ever spoken

And when she passed away

I cried and cried all day

Alone again, naturally

Alone again, naturally

[Soaring Simpson]

Ah, we knew how to do sorrowful when I were a lass...

 

David Gate- 1972- Everything I Own (it's about his father, apparantly)

 

You sheltered me from harm,

Kept me warm, kept me warm,

You gave my life to me,

Set me free, set me free...

 

The finest years I ever knew,

Were all the years I had with you,

And I would give anything I own,

Give up my life, my heart, my home,

I would give everything I own,

Just to have you back again.

 

You taught me how to love,

What it's of, what it's of,

You never said too much, but still, you showed the way,

And I knew, from watching you...

 

Nobody else could ever know,

The part of me that can't let go,

And I would give anything I own,

Give up my life, my heart, my home,

I would give everything I own,

Just to have you back again.

 

Is there someone you know... you're loving them so,

But taking them all for granted?

You may lose them one day; someone takes them away,

And they don't hear the words you long to say...

 

I would give anything I own,

Give up my life, my heart, my home,

I would give everything I own,

Just to have you back again,

Just to touch you once again...

[riverstwilight]

CHORUS:

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

 

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So I hung my head and I cried.

 

CHORUS

 

I'll always love you and make you happy,

If you will only say the same.

But if you leave me and love another,

You'll regret it all some day:

 

CHORUS

 

You told me once, dear, you really loved me

And no one else could come between.

But now you've left me and love another;

You have shattered all of my dreams:

 

CHORUS

 

In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me

When I awake my poor heart pains.

So when you come back and make me happy

I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame.

 

CHORUS

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The really sad part about this song is that I had only ever heard one line of it and making a .wav file of my own voice singing it led to everything in the song happening to me except for the last two lines.

 

Back in the days of dial up internet, the only way to hear another person's voice was to exchange .wav files no longer than 10 seconds. Any longer than that and the file would be over 1 MB and would take a good hour to transfer.

 

So, when I sang, "Sunshine, you are my sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey." It was a HUGE deal to everybody who heard it. One of the people who heard it kind of fell in love with my voice.

 

I really fell in love with him. He found out what I look like and fell right out of love with me, but wanted to keep hearing my voice. Dumbest thing I ever did was trying to be "just friends" with someone I was completely and totally in love with.

 

When we'd been "just friends" for 4.5 years, he proposed to me completely out of the blue just to keep me from going on the only date I'd ever been invited to share. A year later, we were sitting on his parents' couch listening to his mom describe the nice Russian girl she wanted to set him up with while he said nothing about the fact that we were planning a wedding together. On the 6 year anniversary of our friendship (November 15, the day before my birthday,) he was already having sex with the woman he ended up impregnating 9 days later (November 25.) One year later, on that same day (November 25,) he married her.

 

On the night they were making their first child, I was looking up the lyrics to that song because it had occurred to me that I had no clue what the rest of the words were. I was hoping that it was a happy or a hopeful song and that I could sing the whole thing for him to remind him how we had started and of the journey he had promised to share with me.

 

When I saw the lyrics, it was like seeing our whole relationship laid out in front of my face and there was only an ending in store for me. I wanted him to come back for years. Now, I just hope I never see him again because my life is so good without him in it.

 

In his final e-mail to me, he once again reminded me that he had never forgotten that first time he heard my voice.

 

I kind of hate that song.

 

It's definitely the most sorrowful song I know.

[Naectegale]

Note to self - don't read this thread while at work - tears are difficult to explain to colleagues

 

RT - I only knew the chorus to that song - and it has a happy tune I had no idea it was so sad. Thank you for sharing your story as well

 

Sosi - You've posted two songs I've heard often but never thought about the words. "Alone again, naturally" is just too sad I will hear it with more respect from now on.

[Soaring Simpson]

Note to self - don't read this thread while at work - tears are difficult to explain to colleagues

 

RT - I only knew the chorus to that song - and it has a happy tune I had no idea it was so sad. Thank you for sharing your story as well

 

Sosi - You've posted two songs I've heard often but never thought about the words. "Alone again, naturally" is just too sad I will hear it with more respect from now on.

 

Now when I was 10 I thought Alone Again (Naturally) was deeply profound :roftl- Didn't the title give you just the teensiest clue though? I'm beginning to see why you sing so much in Latin!

 

Rivers that is so sad- and scarily true. And I had no idea that that was a sad song- I thought it was really loving and sweet!

 

Why are only oldlings joining in here- don't young people today know how to be terminally gloomy?

Edited May 18, 2009 by Soaring Simpson

[Soaring Simpson]

Can't believe we haven't had this one- how else can you end a school disco?

 

Harry Nilsson- Without You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJvFM_5bKwE

 

No, I can't forget this evening,

Or your face as you were leaving.

But I guess that's just the way the story goes,

You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows.

Yes, it shows.

 

No, I can't forget tomorrow,

When I think of all my sorrow;

When I had you there but then I let you go.

And now it's only fair that I should let you know,

What you should know.

 

I can't live if living is without you.

I can't live, I can't give any more.

I can't live if living is without you.

I can't give, I can't give any more.

 

Well, I can't forget this evening,

Or your face as you were leaving.

But I guess that's just the way the story goes.

You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows.

Yes, it shows.

 

I can't live if living is without you.

I can't live, I can't give anymore.

I can't live if living is without you.

I can't live, I can't give anymore.

 

...Living is without you.

[riverstwilight]

Last Kiss

(J. Frank Wilson lyrics: yes, Pearl Jam did a sucky cover of this very OLD song.)

 

[Chorus]

Oh where oh where can my baby be

The Lord took her away from me

She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good

So I can see my baby when I leave this world

 

We were out on a date in my daddy's car

We hadn't driven very far

There in the road straight up ahead

A car was stalled the engine was dead

I couldn't stop so I swerved to the right

I'll never forget the sound that night

The screaming tires the busting glass

The painful scream that I heard last

 

[Chorus]

 

WHen I woke up the rain was pouring down

There were people standing all around

Something warm flowing through my eyes

But somehow I found my baby that night

I lifted her head she looked at me and said

Hold me darling just a little while

I held her close I kissed her our last kiss

I found the love that I knew I have missed

Well now she's gone even though I hold her tight

I lost my love my life that night

 

[Chorus]

[kath]

I think Terry Jacks 'Seasons in the Sun' was my first 'favourite' song....I think it was probably the first record I ever bought but infuriatingly, I can never quite remember 100%

 

What about Bobby Goldsborough...............Honey

 

BOBBY GOLDSBOROUGH HONEY LYRICS

See the tree, how big it's grown

But friend it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

I laughed at her and she got mad

The first day that she planted it, was just a twig

Then the first snow came

And she ran out to brush the snow away

So it wouldn't die

Came runnin' in all excited

Slipped and almost hurt herself

And I laughed till I cried

She was always young at heart

Kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so

And I surprised her with a puppy

Kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago

And it would sure embarrass her

When I came in from workin' late

'Cause I would know

That she'd been sittin' there and cryin'

Over some sad and silly late, late show

 

And honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

 

She wrecked the car and she was sad

And so afraid that I'd be mad

But what the heck

Though I pretended hard to be

Guess you could say she saw through me

And hugged my neck

I came home unexpectedly

And caught her cryin' needlessly

In the middle of the day

And it was in the early Spring

When flowers bloom and robins sing

She went away

 

And honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

 

One day while I was not at home

While she was there and all alone

The angels came

Now all I have is memories of Honey

And I wake up nights and call her name

Now my life's an empty stage

Where Honey lived and Honey played

And love grew up

And a small cloud passes overhead

And cries down on the flower bed

That Honey loved

 

And see the tree how big it's grown

But friend it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

And I laughed at her and she got mad

The first day that she planted it, was just a twig

[robertina]

oh dear....so it's here where oldlings go to cry together?

 

well... i know many of the songs you posted...and loved them all to bits...and cried a lot over them!

 

one for all

 

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL - AbbA

 

I don't wanna talk

about the things we've gone through

though it's hurting me

now it's history

I've played all my cards

and that's what you've done too

nothing more to say

no more ace to play

 

The winner takes it all

the loser standing small

beside the victory

that's her destiny

 

I was in your arms

thinking I belonged there

I figured it made sense

building me a fence

building me a home

thinking I'd be strong there

but I was a fool

playing by the rules

 

The gods may throw a dice

their minds as cold as ice

and someone way down here

loses someone dear

the winner takes it all

the loser has to fall

it's simple and it's plain

why should I complain

 

But tell me does she kiss

like I used to kiss you

does it feel the same

when she calls your name

somewhere deep inside

you must know I miss you

but what can I say

rules must be obeyed

 

The judges will decide

the likes of me abide

spectators of the show

always staying low

the game is on again

a lover or a friend

a big thing or a small

the winner takes it all

 

I don't wanna talk

if it makes you feel sad

and I understand

you've come to shake my hand

I apologize

if it makes you feel bad

seeing me so tense

no self-confidence

 

But you see

the winner takes it all

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tfyDWIRndc

 

many more will come to my memory!

[Neiobi]

Oh ABBA...