Song suggestions. please.

So two of my very dear friend's in theatre's father just passed away of a heart attack... he was 44... the boys are 16, and 15... and they have five other siblings, and the mother is expecting another... we're doing a benefit concert for the family in a few weeks, and we've got a pretty good list of potential songs... but any suggestions would be fantastic. The family is a fantastic crew of people... very upbeat, VERY Christian, VERY very loving, and we're trying to have the concert be more of a celebration of this man, who was one of the nicest men in the world... really he was, and we're trying to reflect that while still maintaining a poingiant rememberance vibe... it's three tenors.. myself... and two other guys performing in this concert... and we may have some backups... both male and female... but we're not sure yet....
SO.

with all that said...

anything y'all can think of that fits the criteria?

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I know that it is not a happy occasion, but if you do For Good you are going to really bring everyone down in the audience. Try to find something touching without making the widow burst out into tears at the benefit because you are singing a song about two people who love each other, but have to part.

can you guys post the shows they're from?

and we have a no WICKED rule... it's a gorgeous show... but not right for the occasion...

keep em coming guys. these are awesome.

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No One Is Alone (Into the Woods) and You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel) are both beautiful songs.

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"Not A Day Goes By" definately. -Sondheim MWRA
"Seasons of Love" -Larson, Rent
"Hear My Song" -JRB, Songs for a New World

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Do NOT sing "Without You." Do you want the family to hear the lyric "But I die without you" in that kind of setting.

"No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods would be ideal, in my mind. Sad, yes, but hopeful as well.

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You Walk With Me - The Full Monty

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If the family is VERY Christian, I'd throw in a couple of religious songs. Maybe the hymn "Blessed Assurance" and Sandi Patti's "We Shall See Him As He Is"

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"My Boy Bill" from CAROUSEL -- one of the hands down best songs about fatherhood in musical theatre

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i think a lot of these songs are a bit too much for a sad occasion. you could get away with one or two - but only if surrounded by more upbeat ones. just be careful that you aren't going for sad songs because you think you will sing them beautiful - its not the purpose to make people cry the whole way through the show.

first of all, try to find some songs that have some personal relevance to the family - favourites, in jokes, about a hobby, etc. these will have a lot of meaning to them without hammering in the fact that a loved one has died.

also, if they are religious, you can look at some fabulous gospel and classical songs.

john bucchino has some really lovely stuff. it's all very interpretive so it can be sung with sadness or optimism, however the singer feels. really, really beautiful music.