I absolutely love this song! I don't remember if I cried when I first heard but I'll bet you five bucks I did! It's by Nickel Creek and here are the lyrics:

THE HAND SONG
the boy only wanted to give mother something
and all of her roses had bloomed
looking at him as he came rushing in with them
knowing her roses were doomed
all she could see were some thorns buried deep
and the tears that he cried as she tended his wounds

and she knew it was love
it was one she could understand
he was showing his love
and that's how he hurt his hands

he still remembers that night as a child
on his mother's knee
she held him close and she opened her Bible
and quietly started to read
and seeing a picture of Jesus he cried out,
"mama He's got some scars just like me!"

and he knew it was love
it was one he could understand
he was showing his love
and that's how He hurt His hands

now the boy's grown
and moved out on his own
when Uncle Sam comes along
a foreign affair but our young men were there
and luck had his number drawn
it wasn't that long till our hero was gone
he gave to a friend what he'd learned from the cross

and they knew it was love
it was one they could understand
he was showing his love
and that's how he hurt his hands

Jumper by Third Eye Blind
Adam's Song by Blink 182

Very powerful...dont have the lyrics but try them out if you have the chance

Of course, being a man I don't cry at songs; but I always make sure that I am peeling onions when I hear Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton, which he wrote after his 4 year old son fell to his death from a New York hotel window.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?


I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.


Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?


I'll find my way
Through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven.


Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.


Beyond the door,
There's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven.


Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?


I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Well, I cry at almost everything so this will be hard to narrow it down to a few.

1. I Miss My Friend - Darryl Worley

I miss the look of surrender in your eyes, the way your soft, brown hair falls. I miss the power of your kiss when we make love; oh but baby most of all, I miss my friend

The one my heart was so confided in, the one I felt the safest with, the one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again & let the light back in - I miss my friend.

I miss the colors that you brought into my life, your golden smile, those blue-green eyes. I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now saying, "It'll be alright." I miss my friend.

The one my heart was so confided in, the one I felt the safest with, the one who knew jsut what to say to make me laugh again and let the light back in - I miss my friend.

I miss those times, I miss those nights, I even miss our silly fights, the making up, the morning talks and those late afternoon walks, I miss my friend. The one my heart was so confided in, the one I felt the safest with, the on who knew just what to say to make me laugh again, and let the light back in - I miss my friend.

2. The Christmas Shoes - Newsong ~ I can't believe no one has said this yet!

Sir, I wanna buy these shoes for my mama please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry sir? Daddy says there's not much time. You see, she's been sick for quite a while and I know these shoes will make her smile and I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight.

That's just the chorus. I can't remember anymore but that is a beautiful song. If you've never heard it, try to find it. It's great, but you'll need some tissues!

"Show Must Go On" by Queen makes me cry. They are my favourite band and I just think it is so sad. Great song though.

"Indoor Fireworks" by Elvis Costello (Hey tanzen, I'm going to see him next month!)

"Pale Green Stars" by Everclear
"Anna Begins" by Counting Crows
"A Long December" by Counting Crows
"Thousands are Sailing" by the Pogues

I know there are more, but right now, I can't think of any.

Am I the only person that absolutely detests that Lee Greenwood song? I never did like it actually.

Yay Indiqueen! You'll have so much fun! He may (fingers crossed) be coming back here at the end of the year or the start of the next and I'm going to go as many times as I can!

Cyndi Lauper - 'I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever' because I can relate to not having a Mom after she divorce my Dad.
Faye Wong - 'Eyes on Me' Its a beautiful song about love
and Mariah Carey - 'I'd Give My All'.

I just found this again and there have been some new songs that turn on the water works...
The Dixie Chicks new song "Travelin' Soldier" is a tear-jerker, so is "I Wish You'd Stay." I can't remember who sings that one.

If anyone knows the song "Message to My Girl", that song always makes me tear up. My brother actually asked me to sing it for him once (he plays guitar and was trying to get an idea of how the chords fit with the lyrics) and I almost started crying then! Man, it's just such a sweet song!

I just thought of another one...well, to be perfectly honest, I'm listening to Josh Groban's cd right now so it made me remember the ones that are on here: "To Where You Are" is really sad and so is "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)." I Just love him though.

I Believe There Are Angels Among Us -Alabama
The Dance -Garth Brooks
Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti
Caruso - By anyone at all

Not exactly sing along songs, for most!

I have 2 songs that I can think of off of the top of my head that have made me cry:
Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle

There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven, and she's Daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, oh but most of all...

For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
Walk beside the pony Daddy, it's my first ride
I know the cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried
Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right
To deserve a hug every morning, and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet sixteen today
She's looking like her Mama, a little more everyday.
One part woman, the other part girl
To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great big world
But I remember...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
You know how much I love you Daddy, but if you don't mind
I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time.
With all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right
To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time,
Oh, like the wind the years go by.
Precious butterfly,
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away.
Standing in the brideroom just staring at her
She asks me what I'm thinking, and I said I'm not sure.
I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl,
And she leaned over...

Gave me butterfly kisses with her Mama there
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it's just about time.
Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy?
Daddy, don't cry.
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right.
To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses,
I couldn't ask God for more, than this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember...
Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses.

This song made me cry the very first time I heard it. I am very close to my father and I know that I'll be a basketcase on my wedding day.

Tremo E T'Amo - Andrea Bocelli

I love you and I’m trembling
Said the woman to her soldier
Who wouldn’t be coming back
Her plaintive voice
Was carried by the wind
Across the chilling snow
To where her soldier fought

I’m trembling and I love you
She whispered as she cried
And in the darkness of the room
Somebody laughed in conquest of the fear
That this love was about to end

But sweet memories can betray you.
The soldier doesn’t feel anything anymore
Too late, his enemy strikes
Suddenly from behind
Who, strangely, was speaking
Of roses, of wine of life’s other joys
That were promised him in another life
Oh, how many brides will war take away
From that first night’s warm embrace

I’m trembling and I’m cold
Said the soldier
To his enemy, a man, just like himself
His voice hung motionless in the wind
Heard by the silent audience of those that fell before him.

The casualties of war--I don't need to explain why this song is so sad.

I am a bit of a sentimentalist at heart so there are quite a few songs that can bring a tear to my eye.

IndieQueen has already mentioned the Pogues' 'Thousands are sailing'. I also find their Christmas song 'Fairy tale of New York' sad, beautiful but very sad and their rendition of Eric Bogle's anti-war song 'The band played Waltzing Matilda' is just superb. 'Waltzing Matilda' the subject of Bogle's song is itself a very sad song normally sung in an upbeat way, not "freedom or death" but the much starker choice "freedom and death or life and captivity". I have never been able to understand why Patterson's finest effort is not the Australian National Anthem? Do any of you Ozzies out there have any excuses you'd like to offer?

I also have a taste for the songs Leonard Cohen that I picked up at school this is a bad mistake for a person as sentimental as I, it is certainly music to slash your wrists by! I particularly love 'Suzanne' and 'The partisan'. This below is the final verse of 'Suzanne'.

Now Suzanne takes your hand,
and she leads you to the river.
She is wearing rags and feathers,
from Salvation Army counters,
and the sun pours down like honey,
on our lady of the harbour,
and she shows you where to look,
among the garbage and the flowers.
There are heroes in the seaweed,
there are children in the morning.
They are leaning out for love,
they will lean that way forever,
while Suzanne holds the mirror,
and you want to travel with her,
you want to travel blind,
and you know that you can trust her,
for she's touched your perfect body,
with her mind.

The song 'It takes a long pull to get there' from the opera 'Porgy and Bess' leaves a lump in my throat especially if it is Paul Robeson singing it. He is also well know for his rendition of the old IWW organising song 'Joe Hill' which tells the (true) tale of a labour organiser murdered by the Salt Lake City judiciary which I find very poignant.

I have trouble listening to the French National Anthem 'The Marsiellies' these days, not because it is of itself sad but because it reminds me of my Father.

Then finally there is my favourite song about failed relationships and might have beens, almost too painful to listen to these days; Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez, below is a little extract, the best (or worst?) part.

Now I see you standing with brown leaves all around and snow in your hair.
Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square.
Our breath comes in white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air.
Speaking strictly for me we both could've died then and there.
Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic,
then give me another word for it.
You were so good with words,
and at keeping things vague.

'Cause I need some of that vagueness now.
It's all come back too clearly, yes I love you dearly.
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid.

I thought I'd added to this thread, maybe we'd started a new one...
I actually saw Joan Baez sing that album in concert...what a pure voice though...the guitar on that one was just exquisite...I think that's why it moves me too.

I think the Marseillaise for me...will be the memory of seeing the old soldiers here, fewer and fewer alive placing a wreath on the monuments at festivals like the fourth of July. My son always attends and I go with him.

I still maintain "Like Jesus to a Child" by George Michael
is one of those. Sorry to those who cannot abide by him, I still like his voice, but it's the flute that does it on the arrangement.
Eric Clapton..ok can't even mention the name, heard it on the radio in my car and broke into sobs...

Con te partiro...Boccelli..
So I'm sentimental?

And like TellyWellies...Sunrise Sunset. First thing I always do ritually when I get out my flute...is play that.

I have a Gypsy Kings Cd but I've worn it through...a song called Trista Pena...

Lots of French songs do it to me...Francis Cabrel...whew, he's written this one recently called "hors saison"...just poetry in motion...off season.

I feel I can go on forever, but some touching songs that I can think up right now are..

One Sweet Day-- Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
Everybody Hurts-- REM
Only God Knows Why-- Kid Rock
Wind Beneath My Wings--Bette Midler
Tears in Heaven--Eric Clapton
Love is Blind-- Eve

Only Nineteen - Redgum is a tear jerker about mates who came back from Vietnam agent orange victims and one of them, Franky, who didn't come back at all.

The other Tielhard mentioned And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda sums up Gallipoli and post war for all veterans. Australias last Anzac soldier died last year. After the funeral I played the song and the lyrics struck home, particularly the last line of the last verse. An end of an era for the living.

AND THE BAND PLAYED WALTZING MATILDA - ERIC BOGLE

When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of a rover
From the Murrays green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said Son
It's time to stop rambling 'cause there's work to be done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we sailed away from the quay
And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the cheers
We sailed off to Gallipoli

How well I remember that terrible day
How the blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny Turk he was ready, he primed himself well
He chased us with bullets, he rained us with shells
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell
Nearly blew us right back to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then we started all over again

Now those that were left, well we tried to survive
In a mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive
But around me the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over tit
And when I woke up in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done, I wished I was dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
For no more I'll go waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs two legs
No more waltzing Matilda for me

So they collected the cripples, the wounded, the maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where my legs used to be
And thank Christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared
Then turned all their faces away

And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I watch my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving old dreams of past glory
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
The forgotten heroes from a forgotten war
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question
And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men answer to the call
But year after year their numbers get fewer
Some day no one will march there at all

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me
And their ghosts may be heard as you pass the Billabong
Who'll come-a-waltzing Matilda with me?

Anything by Britney Spears--much like toxic chemicals make me tear up.

Bruyere,

I too have heard Joan Baez sing Diamonds and Rust live it was very impressive. At the same concert I also heard her put down the guitar, send the backing musicians off for a cuppa and switch off the sound system. She then did a couple of songs using her voice alone. It was quite amazing one was 'We shall overcome' I cannot remember the other.

Bertho,

I had not heard that the last ANZAC had passed away. There are still WWI veterans here but Australia and NZ had much smaller populations than the UK back then. It was quite a sobering moment reading your post. Thanks for the lyrics to 'The band played Waltzing Matilda'.

TRAVELIN' SOLDIER- DIXIE CHICKS


Two days past eighteen,
He was waitin' for the bus in his army greens.
Sat down in a booth, in a cafe there,
Gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair.
He's a little shy but she give him a smile,
So he said: "Would you mind sittin' down for a while?
"And talkin' to me. I'm feelin' a little low."
She said: "I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go."
So they went down and they sat on the pier,
He said: "I bet you got a boyfriend but I don't care,
"I got no one to send a letter to.
"Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?"
I cried: "Never gonna hold the hand of another guy."
"Too young for him," they told her.
Waitin' for the love of the travellin' soldier.
"Our love will never end."
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone when the letter says,
My soldier's comin' home.

The letters came from an army camp,
In California, then Vietnam.
He told her of his heart, it might be love,
And all of the things he was so scared of.
He said: "When it's gettin' kinda rough over here,
"I think of that day, sittin' down at the pier.
"And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile.
"Don't worry, but I won't be able to write for a while."

I cried: "Never gonna hold the hand of another guy."
"Too young for him," they told her.
Waitin' for the love of the travellin' soldier.
"Our love will never end."
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone when the letter says,
My soldier's comin' home.

One Friday night at a football game,
The Lord's Prayer said, and the anthem sang,
A man said: "Folks would you bow your head,
"For the list of local Vietnam dead."
Cryin' all alone under the stands,
Was the piccolo player in the marching band.
And one name read and nobody really cared,
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair.

I cried: "Never gonna hold the hand of another guy."
"Too young for him," they told her.
Waitin' for the love of the travellin' soldier.
"Our love will never end."
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone when the letter says,
My soldier's comin' home.

THE LITTLE GIRL-JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY


Her parents never took the young girl to church,
Never spoke of His name,
Never read her His word.
Two non-believers walking lost in this world,
Took their baby with them,
What a sad little girl.

Her daddy drank all day and mommy did drugs.
Never wanted to play,
Or give kisses and hugs.
She'd watch the TV and sit there on the couch,
While her mom fell asleep,
And her daddy went out.

And the drinking and the fighting,
Just got worse every night.
Behind their couch, she'd be hiding:
Oh, what a sad little life.

And like it always does, the bad just got worse,
With every slap,
And every curse.
Until her daddy, in a drunk rage one night,
Used a gun on her mom,
And then took his life.

And some people from the city,
Took the girl far away.
To a new mom and dad:
Kisses and hugs everyday.

Her first day of Sunday school the teacher walked in,
And a small little girl,
Stared a picture of Him.
She said I know that man up there on that cross,
I don't know His name,
But I know He got off.

'Cause he was there in my old house
And held me close to His side.
As I hid there, behind our couch,
The night that my parents died.

This is an old country song, always brings tears to my eyes.
Called Teddy Bear by Red Sovine.

I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down
The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9!
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line

And he said: "Breaker 1-9! Is anyone there?
Come on back, truckers and talk to Teddy Bear!"
Well, I keyed the mike and said: "You got it, Teddy Bear!"
And a little boy's voice came back on the air

"'Preciate the break, Who we got on that end?"
I told him my handle, and, then he began:
"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there
Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air

But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk
'Cause that's about all I can do, I'm crippled, and, I can't walk!"
I came back and told him to fire up that mike
And I'd talk to him, as long as he liked

"This was my dad's radio", the little boy said
"But I guess it's mine and mom's now, 'cause my daddy's dead!"
"Dad had a wreck about a month ago
He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow

Mom has to work now, to make ends meet
And I'm not much help, with my two crippled feet!"
"She says not to worry that we'll make it alright
But, I hear her crying, sometimes late at night

You know there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see
Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me!"
"But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home
But, I guess that's all over now, since my daddy's gone

Not one breaker came on the old CB
As that little crippled boy talked with me
I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down
As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town

"Dad was going to take mom and me with him later on this year, Why,
l remember 'im saying: 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!'
But, I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again
But, this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends!"

"Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone
'Cause it's about time for mom to come home
But, you give me a shout when you're passin' through
And I'll sure be happy to come back to you!"

Well, I came back and I said: uh! "Before you go 10-10
What's your home 20, little CB friend?"
Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate
'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait

I turned that truck around on a dime
And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229
And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock
l8 wheelers were lined up for three city blocks!

Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call
And that little crippled boy was having a ball
For as fast as one driver would carry him in
Another would carry him to his truck and take off again

Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear
And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair
And buddy if I never live to see happiness again
I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man

We took up a collection for him before his mama got home
And each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin
And said: "So long, trucker I'll catch ya again!"

Well, I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes
I turned on the radio and I got another surprise
"Breaker 1-9!" Came a voice on the air
"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear!"

"We wish each and every one, a special prayer for you
'Cause, You just made my little boy's dream come true
I'll sign off now, before, I start to cry
May God ride with you, 10-4, and goodbye."

(There is a carry-on song, but can't find it at the moment.)

I'll Remember by Madonna, I sang it at my grasndfather's funeral, noone that was there can listen to it without crying.

I'll support 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda' wholeheartedly. Especially when performed by Eric Bogle, or even the Clancy Bros. In fact, it's one of the few songs that actually has more impact when sung by someone of limited vocal abilities. It seems to sound more sincere that way.
One that never did until a few years ago was 'Don't Forget To Remember' by the Bee Gees. My best friend's brother-in-law was listening to the radio one day and DFTR came on. He said to his wife, 'When I die, I wouldn't mind that as a song at my funeral'.
Two weeks later, he had a massive heart attack and died. True to his wishes, they played DFTR at the funeral, and I've never been able to listen to it since without remembering him. Mission accomplished, I guess.

My friend's young son committed suicide just before Christmas. They played "Stairway to Heaven" at his funeral. Now I cry every time I hear it on the radio.

Others have already been mentioned:
And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda (Bogle AND Larrikin)
Tears in Heaven (Clapton)
Butterfly Kisses (Carlisle)
If Tomorrow Never Comes (Keating)

I've got to second someone earlier who said "I can't make you love me" by Bonnie Raitt. The first time I heard "Cats in the cradle" by Harry Chapin I sobbed. "Don't take the Girl" by Tim McGraw stills makes me cry.