For a loved one, I think this is a great song:

Songbird
by Christine McVie


For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right

To you, I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right.

And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before.

And I wish you all the love in the world,
But most of all, I wish it from myself.

And the songbirds keep singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before, like never before.

Here's another ...


Reminds Me of You – by Van Morrison


I miss you so much, I can't stand it
Seems like my heart is breaking in two
My head says no, but my soul demands it
Everything I do, reminds me of you

I miss you so much, in this house full of shadows
While the rain keeps pouring down my window too
When will the pain recede to the darkness
From whence it has come, and I'm feeling so blue

Ain't goin' down, no more to the well
Sometimes it feels like I'm going to hell
You’ll find I'm knocking on your front door
But I don't have nothing to sell no more

Seems like the spirit is pushing me onward
I'm able to see where I tripped and went wrong
I'll just have to guess where my soul will find comfort
I miss you so much when I'm singing my song

Ain't goin' down, no more to the well
And sometimes it seems I'm going to hell
You'll find me knocking on your front door
But I don't have nothing to sell no more

Seems like my spirit, is pushing me onwards
Til I am able to see where I tripped when I went wrong,
I'll just have to guess where my soul will get comfort
I miss you so much when I'm singing my song

I miss you so much, I can't stand it
Seems like my heart is breaking in two
My head says no, but my soul demands it
And everything I do reminds me of you
Everything I do reminds me of you

Love that one Elmo.
I think Lucinda Williams is brilliant, and I love her voice.

Hurt – by Trent Reznor


I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
but I remember everything

What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of shit
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stain of time
the feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here.

What have I become?
my sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way...

The Water Is Wide - by Frank Gallagher


The water is wide, I can't cross over
And neither have I wings to fly
Build me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I

There is a ship and she sails the sea
She's loaded deep, as deep can be
But not so deep as the love I'm in
I know not how I sink or swim

Oh love is handsome and love is fine
The sweetest flower when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like Summer dew

Build me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
And both shall row, my love and I

Judas Kiss - by Scott Kempner

I hope wherever you are
Is a better place than this
Cause I'm left here alone
Betrayed by a Judas Kiss

Been a long hot summer
Still waitin on a breeze
I got nothin in my pockets
I got holes in my jeans

The radio has been playin
The same old rotten songs
Every single tune reminds me of you
All summer long

And the roses in the closet
All summer I watched them fade
And I know they'll turn to dust
Like the promises you made

When I close my eyes
I can still taste your lips
Cause I'm left here alone
Betrayed by a Judas Kiss

You left me hangin at the altar
Well it might as well have been
For as sure as I'm standin here
There is sin and you have sinned

It don't matter if we like it
There is right and there is wrong
And when you look that hard for trouble
It surely won't take long

Do you remember our favorite picture
Collecting dust under the bed
My bed of fire and nails
A jagged stone for my weary head

When I close my eyes
I can still taste your lips
Now I'm left here alone
Betrayed by a Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss

First it was cocaine
Then you discovered crack
You liked to say you got so high
You were never comin back

Juda Kiss you called it
Such a clever fuckin name
Ah but your so glad
I'll never get well, I'm so sad
Such a God damned shame

And the roses in the closet
Well I took them from the grave
Every day I stand and look at them
Then I bow my head and pray

I hope wherever you are
Is a better place than this
Cause I'm left here alone
Betrayed by a Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss

Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss

Judas Kiss
Judas Kiss

Angel - by Sarah McLachlan


Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Old Friends - by Stephen Sondheim


Old friends pitching pennies in the park
Playing croquet till it's dark, old friends
Hmmm old friends swapping lies of life and loves
Pitching popcorn to the doves, old friends, Hmmm

Old friends looking up to watch a bird
Holding arms to climb a curb
Old friends
Oh old friends

Old friends
Lord when all my work is done
Bless my life and grant me one old friend
At least one old friend

Old friends looking up to watch a bird
Holding arms to climb a curb
Old friends
Hmmm old friends

Lord when all my work is done
Bless my life and grant me one old friend
At least one old friend

Send In The Clowns - JUDY COLLINS

Heaven - by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams


Vámonos!

Save me from this prison
Lord help me get away
Cause only you can save me now
From this misery

I've been lost in my own place
And I'm getting weary
(How far is Heaven?)
And I know that I need to change
My ways of livin
(How far is Heaven?)
Lord can you tell me?

I've been locked up way too long
In this crazy world
(How far is Heaven?)
And I just keep on praying Lord
And just keep on living
(How far is Heaven?)
Yeah, Lord can you tell me?
(How far is Heaven?)
Cause I just gotta know how far, yeah
(How far is Heaven?)
Yeah, Lord can you tell me?

Tú que estás en alto cielo
Échame tu bendición

Cause I know there's a better place
Than this place I'm livin
(How far is Heaven?)
And I just got to have some faith
And just keep on giving
(How far is Heaven?)
Yeah, Lord can you tell me?
(How far is Heaven?)
I just got to know how far, yeah
(How far is Heaven?)
Yeah, Lord can you tell me?
(How far is Heaven?)
Cause I just gotta know how far
I just wanna know how far

Ocean Breathes Salty - by Isaac Brock, Eric Judy and Dan Gallucci


Your body may be gone
I'm gonna carry you in
In my head, in my heart, in my soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so.

Well that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me. You get away from me
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile. I had to think awhile.

The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I hope so.

Well that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me. (You get away from me) You get away from me.
Collected my belongings and I left the jail
Well thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell
I had to think awhile. (I had to think awhile) I had to think awhile.

Well that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed, you missed)
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye (You missed)
When the earth folded in on itself (You missed)
And said "Good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell (You missed, you missed)
Are really there, but I wouldn't hold my breath" (You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death? (You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?

The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul
The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind
Well I don't mind. I don't mind. How the hell could I mind?

Well that is that and this is this
You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get
You get away from me. (You get away from me) You get away from me.

Well that is that and this is this
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed
When the ocean met the sky (You missed, you missed)
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?

Please Don't Bury Me - by John Prine


Woke up this morning
Put on my slippers
Walked in the kitchen and died
And oh what a feeling
When my soul went thru the ceiling
And on up into heaven I did ride
When I got there they did say, John it happened this way
You slipped upon the floor and hit your head
And all the angels say just before you passed away
These were the very last words that you said

Please don't bury me down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have em cut me up and pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane and the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears if they don't mind the size

Give my stomach to Milwaukee if they've run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box, just get em out of here
Venus De Milo can have my arms. Look out! I've got your nose
Sell my heart to the junkman and give my love to Rose

But please don't bury me down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have em cut me up and pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane and the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears if they don't mind the size

Give my feet to the footloose, careless, fancy free
Give my knees to the needy, don't pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walkin cane, it's a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down South and kiss my ass goodbye

But please don't bury me down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have em cut me up and pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane and the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears if they don't mind the size

Old Man - by Neil Young


Old man look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man look at my life
I'm a lot like you were

Old man look at my life
Twenty-four
And there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
That makes me think of two

Love lost, such a cost
Give me things
That don't get lost
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Rolling home to you

Old man take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
The whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes
And you can tell that's true

Lullabies, look in your eyes
Run around the same old town
Doesn't mean that much to me
To mean that much to you

I've been first and last
Look at how the time goes past
But I'm all alone at last
Rolling home to you

Old man take a look at my life
I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me
The whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes
And you can tell that's true

Old man look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man look at my life
I'm a lot like you were

Ain't No Grave - by Claude Ely


There ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
When I hear that trumpet sound I'm gonna rise right out of the ground
Ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, look way down the river, what do you think I see?
I see a band of angels and they're coming after me
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, look down yonder, Gabriel put your feet on the land and see
But Gabriel don't you blow your trumpet till you hear it from me
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
Ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, meet me Jesus, meet me, meet me in the middle of the air
And if these wings don't fail me I will meet you anywhere
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

Well, meet me mother and father, meet me down the river road
And momma you know that I'll be there when I check in my load
Ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down
There ain't no grave can hold my body down

What Sarah Said - by Ben Gibbard and Nick Harmer


And it came to me then that every plan
Is a tiny prayer to Father Time
As I stared at my shoes in the ICU
That reeked of piss and 409

And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself
That I've already taken too much today
As each descending peak on the LCD
Took you a little farther away from me
Away from me

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines
In a place where we only say goodbye
It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend
On a faulty camera in our minds

And I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose
Than to have never lain beside at all
And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground
As the TV entertained itself

Cause there's no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes round
And everyone lift their heads

But I'm thinking of what Sarah said
That "Love is watching someone die."

So who's gonna watch you die?
So who's gonna watch you die?
So who's gonna watch you die?

Not Dark Yet - by Bob Dylan


Shadows are fallin
And I've been here all day
It's too hot to sleep
And time is runnin away

Feel like my soul has
Turned into steel
I've still got the scars
That the sun didn't heal

There's not even room
Enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet
But it's gettin there

Well my sense of humanity
Has gone down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing
There's been some kind of pain

She wrote me a letter
And she wrote it so kind
She put down in writing
What was in her mind

I just don't see why
I should even care
It's not dark yet
But it's gettin there

Well I've been to London
And I've been to gay Parie
I've followed the river
And I got to the sea

I've been down on the bottom
Of a whirlpool of lies
I ain't lookin for nothin
In anyone's eyes

Sometimes my burden
Is more than I can bear
It's not dark yet
But it's gettin there

I was born here and I'll die here
Against my will
I know it looks like I'm movin
But I'm standin still

Every nerve in my body
Is so naked and numb
I can't even remember what it was
I came here to get away from

Don't even hear
The murmur of a prayer
It's not dark yet
But it's gettin there

Devils and Dust - by Bruce Springsteen


I got my finger on the trigger
But I don't know who to trust
When I look into your eyes
There's just devils and dust
We're a long, long way from home, Bobbie
Home's a long, long way from us
I feel a dirty wind blowing
Devils and dust

I got God on my side
And I'm just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear's a powerful thing, baby
It can turn your heart black
You can trust it'll take your God filled soul
And fill it with devils and dust

Well I dreamed of you last night
In a field of blood and stone
The blood began to dry
The smell began to rise
Well I dreamed of you last night, Bobbie
In a field of mud and bone
Your blood began to dry
And the smell began to rise

We've got God on our side
We're just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear's a powerful thing, baby
It'll turn your heart black you can trust
It'll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust
It'll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust

Now every woman and every man
They wanna take a righteous stand
Find the love that God wills
And the faith that He commands
I've got my finger on the trigger
And tonight faith just ain't enough
When I look inside my heart
There's just devils and dust

Well I've got God on my side
And I'm just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear's a dangerous thing
It can turn your heart black you can trust
It'll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust
Yeah it'll take your God filled soul
Fill it with devils and dust

Keep Me In Your Heart - by Warren Zevon
and Jorge Calderon


Shadows are fallin and I'm runnin out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while

When you get up in the mornin and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while

Sha-lalala-lala-li-lalala-lo
Keep me in your heart for a while
Sha-lalala-lala-li-lalala-lo
Keep me in your heart for a while

Sometimes when you're doin simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while

Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Engine driver's headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin but they're runnin out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while

Sha-lalala-lala-li-lalala-lo
Keep me in your heart for a while
Sha-lalala-lala-li-lalala-lo
Keep me in your heart for a while

Keep me in your heart for a while

He Was a Friend of Mine -
Traditional American Folk Song


He was a friend of mine
He was a friend of mine
Every time I think about him now
Lord, I just can't keep from cryin
Cause he was a friend of mine

He died on the road
He died on the road
He never had enough money
To pay his room or board
He was a friend of mine

I stole away and cried
I stole away and cried
Cause I never had too much money
And I never been quite satisfied
And he was a friend of mine

He never done no wrong
He never done no wrong
A thousand miles from home
And he never harmed no one
And he was a friend of mine

He was a friend of mine
He was a friend of mine
Every time I hear his name
Lord, I just can't keep from cryin
Cause he was a friend of mine

Back On The Chain Gang - by Chrissie Hynde


I found a picture of you, oh
What hijacked my world that night
To a place in the past
We've been cast out of, oh, oh, oh
Now we're back in the fight
We're back on the train, yeah
Oh, back on the chain gang

A circumstance beyond our control, oh oh, oh
The phone, TV and the news of the world
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell, oh oh, oh
Threw sand in our eyes and descended like flies
Put us back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang

The powers that be
That force us to live like we do
Bring me to my knees
When I see what they've done to you
But I'll die as I stand her today
Knowing that deep in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day
For making us apart

I found a picture of you, oh, oh, oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
Like a break in the battle was your part, oh, oh, oh
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
Now we're back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang

Darling Lorraine - by Paul Simon


The first time I saw her
I couldn't be sure
But the sin of impatience
Said, "she's just what you're looking for"

So I walked right up to her
And with the part or me that talks
I introduced myself as Frank
From New York, New York

She's so hot
She's so cool
I'm not
I'm just a fool in love with darling Lorraine

All my life I've been a wanderer
Not really, I mostly lived near my parents' home
Anyway Lorraine and I got married
And the usual marriage stuff
Then one day she says to me

From out of the blue
Frank, I've had enough
Romance is a heartbreaker
I'm not meant to be a homemaker
And I'm tired of being darling Lorraine

What? You don't love me anymore?
What? You're walking out the door?
What? You don't like the way I chew?
Hey, let me tell you!

You're not the woman that I wed
You say you're depressed but you're not
You just like to stay in bed
I don't need you darling Lorraine

Darling Lorraine
Lorraine
I long for your love

Financially speaking
I guess I'm a washout
Everybody's buy and sell
And sell and buy and
And that's what the whole thing's all about
If it had not been for Lorraine
I'd have left here long ago
I should have been a musician
I love the piano
She's so light
She's so free
I'm tight, well that's me
But I feel so good
With darling Lorraine

On Christmas morning Frank awakes
To find Lorraine has made a stack of pancakes
They watch the television, husband and wife
All afternoon "It's a Wonderful Life"

What? You don't love me anymore?
What? You're walking out the door?
What? You don't like the way I chew?
Hey, let me tell you!

You're not the woman that I wed
Gimme my robe, I'm going back to bed
I'm sick to death of you Lorraine

Darling Lorraine
Lorraine
Her hands like wood
The doctor was smiling
But the news wasn't good
Darling Lorraine
Please don't leave me yet
I know you're in pain
Pain you can't forget
Your breathing is like an echo of our love
Maybe I'll go down to the corner store
And buy us something sweet
Here's an extra blanket honey
To wrap around your feet

All the trees were washed with April rain
And the moon in the meadow
Took darling Lorraine

Unknown Brother - by Dan Auerbach
and Pat Carney


Though I've never met you
And we've spoke not a word
I'll never forget you
Through the stories that I've heard

For you, unknown brother
My baby's mother's in pain
Cause your soul is in heaven
But your memory remains

Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields
Where children play

Your eyes shined bright
When you were a kid
Your sisters loved you
And all that you did

Big brother, big brother
Don't worry a bit
Your flame has not faded
Since the day it was lit

Your life was joy
You're mama's only boy
And when the skies are blue
Big brother they're blue for you

We'll smile at pictures
Of you as a boy
Before you retire
To heavenly joy

Unknown, unknown brother
I'll meet you someday
Unknown, unknown brother
We'll walk through fields where children play

How about Amazing Grace ?

It certainly is a perfect song Alley.

I guess I've been avoiding it because of an incident here in the States last year about this time. There was a shooting at a school called Sandy Hook in Connecticut in December 2012. One of the 20 little children murdered was a girl named Grace McDonnell, and here life was the focus of a TV documentary. I've always thought "Amazing Grace" was the perfect spiritual song, but now I'm afraid that for me, the song will always remind me of a senseless tragedy and the sickness that seems determined to overtake us. It's ironic that a song so positive and full of hope can suddenly change completely in one's mind.

But you are right Alley; this one certainly belongs in a library of great spirituals. Thanks for reminding me of what the song REALLY represents.

Amazing Grace - by John Newton (1779)


Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Drink A Beer - by Jim Beavers
and Chris Stapleton


When I got the news today
I didn't know what to say
So I just hung up the phone
I took a walk to clear my head
This is where the walking lead
Can't believe you're really gone
Don't feel like going home

So I'm gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer

Funny how the good ones go
Too soon, but the good lord knows
The reasons why it gets
Sometimes the greater plan
Is kinda hard to understand
Right now it don't make sense
I can't make it all make sense

So I'm gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer

So long my friend, until we meet again
I'll remember you
And all the times we used to
Sit right here on the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer
Drink a beer
Drink a beer

Ashokan Farewell - by Jay Ungar

"Ashokan Farewell" was written by Jay Ungar in 1982. The tune was used as the title theme of the 1990 PBS TV miniseries, "The Civil War". It's a waltz in D major, composed in the style of a Scottish lament.

"The Civil War" documentary drew national attention to the song, and it played more than two dozen times through the series. Many viewers of the documentary believe it's a traditional tune from the era. In fact, it's the only modern composition on the soundtrack.

A Song For You - by Leon Russel


I've been so many places
In my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs
I've made some bad rhymes

I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you

And I know your image of me
Is what I hope to be
I treated you unkindly
But darlin, can't you see?

There's no one more important to me
Darlin, can't you please see through me?
Cause we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you

You taught me precious secrets
Of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front
And I was hiding

But now I'm so much better
And if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody
Cause my love in there hiding

I'll love you in a place
Where there's no space and time
I'll love you for my life
You are a friend of mine

And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you

But I'll love you in a place
Where there's no space and time
I'll love you for my life
You are a friend of mine

And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song for you

We were alone
And I was singing this song for you
We were alone
And I was singing that song
Singing this song for you

Dennis Wilson - "Farewell My Friend"

Farewell my friend
My beautiful friend farewell

You take the high road
And I'll take the low road
And we'll meet again
Farewell my friend

I love you
In a funny way

You take the high road
I'll take the low road
And we will meet again
Farewell my friend

Oh, I wanna see you again
Oh, farewell, farewell
Oh, I wanna see you again
Farewell

Oh, I'm on the mountain again, oh, farewell
Oh, I wanna see you again on the mountain
Oh, that's when I'll see you again, yea, farewell
Oh, I want to see you again