Best of the Decade

December 31 isn't just the end of the year, it's also the end of the first decade of the the 21st century. I decided to set myself a challenge - to choose the top 10 folk songs of the last 10 years. I had a few ideas to begin with, but put the question out via my show and Facebook and got some excellent suggestions, many of which are included below.

These certainly aren't the only great songs - or necessarily the best recordings - released into the universe over that time, but ones that nurtured our spirits in times of need. They're all timeless songs I predict we'll continue to sing and cherish in the decades ahead.

1. "Gentle Arms of Eden" - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

2. "Passing Through" - Mark Erelli & Catie Curtis

3. "Stand" - The Kennedys

4. "Weight of the World" - Amy Speace, Jud Caswell,& Jon Vezner

5. "The One Who Knows" - Dar Williams

6. "May I Suggest" - Susan Werner

7. "Mercy Now" - Mary Gauthier

8. "Making Pies" - Patty Griffin

9. "Transit" - Richard Shindell

10. "Melt" - Phil Roy

Bonus tracks that truly captured the zeitgeist:

"Why Shouldn't We" - Mary Chapin Carpenter

"The Rising" - Bruce Springsteen