Willow weep for me
Willow weep for me
Bend your branches green
along the stream that runs to sea
Listen to my plea
Hear me willow and weep for me
Gone my lovers dream
Lovely summer dream
Gone and left me here to weep
my tears into the stream
Sad as I can be
Hear me willow and weep for me
Whisper to the wind and say that love has sinned
Left my heart a-breaking, and making a moan
Murmur to the night to hide it's starry light
So none will see me sighing and crying all alone
Weeping willow tree
Weep in sympathy
Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me
When the shadows fall, hear me willow and weep for me
(oops, embedding is denied...click HERE to listen on YouTube)
My wickedly willow series would be seriously lacking without this classic! Catalyst and R. Burnett Baker suggested this one. (Thanks, guys! xx) So many greats have recorded this one, it was hard to choose. I went with Sarah Vaughan. I love her clear, rich sound. Her nickname was Sassy. Man, if I could sing Iike this, I'd call myself Sassy, too.
American composer and lyricist Ann Ronell (1908–1993) was romantically involved with George Gershwin at the time she wrote her most famous song, "Willow Weep for Me" (1932) and speculation in the New York City composer community is that Gershwin actually wrote the song and gave her the copyright as a gift. However, this has never been proven and is still, at this point, based on the striking similarities in the song to the blues-inflected style of Gershwin.
American composer and lyricist Ann Ronell (1908–1993) was romantically involved with George Gershwin at the time she wrote her most famous song, "Willow Weep for Me" (1932) and speculation in the New York City composer community is that Gershwin actually wrote the song and gave her the copyright as a gift. However, this has never been proven and is still, at this point, based on the striking similarities in the song to the blues-inflected style of Gershwin.
I enjoyed listening to this as I was reading the rest of the blogs on my reader list. And then it got to the end. What fun! Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Sarah Vaughan. Velvet voice. I enjoy reading the lyrics before I listen to the song.
ReplyDeleteI had an English teacher in high school who would read us lyrics to popular songs as though they were poetry, so we could see how ridiculous they were. I completely forgot about this. I enjoyed those classes. I can just hear him deadpanning, "she loves you. yeah. yeah. yeah." funny.
Lovely - think I'll be heading to iTunes and spending mo' money! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteDear old Chad and Jeremy did a passable version of this song too! Gotta love those lyrics!
ReplyDeleteSassy works for me...I listened and it was great..so bluesy.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah Vaughan....the best
ReplyDeleteI have her on LP really
Beautiful Ms.W!
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys, and sorry about the YouTube clip not working. I've got Sarah Vaughan singing Willow Weep for Me on MP3, but don't know how to embed it on a blogpost. (double-duh)
ReplyDeleteLoved that. You know, your blog is looking (and always reading) spectacular. I just love the header, the sidebar, the colors, etc.! It's a pleasure to come visit.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an interesting lady. I love your name--it's not surprising such wonderful songs have been written about it--it's such a lovely graceful name.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, quite beautiful willow. One of my favourite songs by one of my favourite singers.
ReplyDeleteAh, the incomparable Sarah Vaughan. Bliss.
ReplyDeleteand now I have the words to "Little Willow" by Paul Mc'Cartney in my head !
ReplyDeletePriceless. In my book, it just doesn't get any better than listening to Sarah Vaughan, perhaps the greatest voice of American song.
ReplyDeleteMy dad introduced me to the music of SV when I was still quite young and I grew up with her and Ella and big band (my dad was a professional musician). Hearing this again the years just fell away.
ReplyDeleteI love Sara and the song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting a song in my heart again. yvonne
sweet beautiful music - the gentlest kind of wake-up!! have a lovely day at the manor willow. steven
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts about the origin of the song. What a nice gift if that is what it was!
ReplyDeleteHey sister, don't you worry, you are the epitome of sass!
ReplyDeleteMillie ^_^
Sarah Vaughn was my favorite when I was younger so she still has a warm place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteDear Willow: This Willow song has much class; I really enjoy Sarah Vaugn's jazzy sassiness. What a treat! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I think Sarah Vaughan's voice is amazing...yup--she's sassy.
ReplyDeleteLove me some SV.
ReplyDeleteLove it...but I'm still chuckling over the flying Shirley, probably good we didn't know each other then...!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI adore this song.... it is so poignant....no matter who is singing it....but, Ms. Vaughan has a distinctive and passionate voice....it resonates with feeling.
ReplyDeleteGreat "Willow" post.....
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
Always loved that song, always loved that voice.
ReplyDeleteSuperlative willow song, willow. Pure class.
Hello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI always love Sarah singing 'Passing Strangers' with Billy Eckstine. In fact, I've put it on just now! Enjoyed your Willow song!
Never thought I'd say something like this, BUT...If I could sing like that, I'd put on a skirt and call myself SASSY also--grin!
ReplyDelete(Hope I never sing like that.)I LOVED Sarah V then, and love her now.
Thank you, Willow
Mmmm...love Sarah Vaughn. And what an intesting tidbit about the song possibly being written by Gershwin.
ReplyDeleteThe song brings back a lot of memories and good times and hard times and times when we all wanted the willow to weep for us.
ReplyDeleteSarah Vaughan brings so much to a song, such richness, a lovely texture that makes it all her own - much like your writing!
ReplyDeleteLoved this pairing!
Love that first image with the bright yellow background! Any idea who the artist is?
ReplyDeleteVicki, isn't it great? I couldn't find the artist, only the initials "L. L.".
ReplyDeleteAcornmoon, stay tuned for next week! You're reading my mind!
This is just beauty beyond words, Willow...her voice is like the softest silk, it is a joy and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for sharing this, it really had made my day :)
ReplyDeleteLike The Bug, I'm also sitting here listening to this cool song which I'm embarrassed to say I've never heard before.
ReplyDeleteYou are always so full of interesting facts, Willow. Sorry I've been gone so long. Was away and have much catching up to do.
Reminds me of my senior year in college, when I listened to Sarah Vaughn on a loop for months.
ReplyDeleteAll things "willow" remind me of you now!
Sarah... musicians' favourite.
ReplyDeleteI love that song & Sarah Vaughn! Great choice!
ReplyDeleteThat was so beautiful....I'm a great fan of Sarah Vaughan. She has a fantastic voice. I have a friend whom I go to see on Sundays
ReplyDelete( she's become a friend indirectly - through a terrific Japanese jazz piano player I know ) when she sings at the Burlingame Hyatt. Margie Baker is about 73 and has been a performer for about 40 years - blues, jazz, and standards....besides being a PhD, an educator in the San Francisco schools, a principal, and involved with the Board of Education.
this is such a lovely post - you've tapped into a unique history of one of our greatest muses...thank you for reminding me of her...
ReplyDeleteHow do ever learn such curious tidbits, Willow? you are funny.
ReplyDeleteLovely Tess, please allow more stuff to come up, <3 it all
ReplyDelete