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| willow pattern, William Morris |
"Willow" always leaps out and grabs me, for obvious reasons. The other night, I was surprised to hear The Duke (that's John Wayne, Lorenzo, not Duke Ellington, by the way) actually sing "Willow, Tit Willow" in The Shootist. It's amazing how many songs have been written about the magical, mystical weeping willow tree. I thought it might be kinda fun to do a series of posts on willow songs. So, without further ado...
You know I adore opera, so the series must kick off with "The Willow Song" from the opera Otello, by Rossini. It's sung by Desdemona, the night before she is murdered by her jealous husband, Otello, the Moor. Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato sings the song in this cool monochrome video montage, made from some of her opera performances. (outclick on her name for her blogspot blog)
In the 1995 film adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, the lovely Irene Jacob sings a completely different version of the willow song, known as "The Willow Song" or "Desdemona's Song", the earliest version being found in a lute book dated 1583.
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree
Sing all a green willow
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow.
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow.
My garland shall be;
Sing all a green willow, willow, willow, willow
Sing all a green willow my garland shall be.
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmer'd her moans
Sing willow, willow, willow
Her salt tears fell from her and soft'ned the stones.
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve
Sing willow, willow, willow
He was born to be fair, I to die for his love,
I call'd my love false love but what said he then?
Sing willow, willow, willow
If I court more women, you'll couch with more men.
So, there you have it, my bloggy friends....more wickedly willow songs coming up next week.
Loved both video clips. Different, but both moving in their own way. Not even sure which I prefer. Sitting watching them while eating my lunch was a nice treat today - I'll consider it my dessert. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this introduction - I believe both I shall have to watch!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard either song, so both were like getting flowers--thanks for adding some beauty to the day.
ReplyDeleteLove the Morris Willow pattern! I have to tell you my brother kept singing a "willow" song over and over one time and I had to tell him to stop. Something folksy from the seventies. I'm wondering if you'll be featuring that one (it's still one of my ear worms!)
ReplyDeleteRossini played better on my laptop. I have it now in bed on, of all places my lap. Very satisfying. Shakespear needs a stage I am prejudiced to feel and I could not hear her clearly, although she seemed lovely in just the right way. Good post!
ReplyDeleteOh, that Duke! Thanks for the clue...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to like this series! The Joyce DiDonato clip is wonderul and I will check out her blog.
Loveliness! My favorite was the Othello version, such haunting lyrics.
ReplyDeleteSing on, dear Willow.
I adore Rossini! Both clips were excellent, I truly enjoyed watching them, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. This is such a wonderful post idea, can't wait to read more :D
Janelle, haha, yes, I know the one you mean. Stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wayne singing. I had forgotten he sang in that movie. Scary, pilgrim. Now I am going to have to do some "Willow" song searches.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. As always, you are the soul of creativity.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the Willow song from the film The Innocents? Let me get it in here before anyone else does!
We lay, my love and I
Beneath a weeping willow.
But now alone I lie
And weep beside the tree.
Singing oh willow waley
By the tree that weeped with me
Singing oh willow waley
Will my love return to me.
We lay, my love and I
Beneath a weeping willow.
And now alone I lie
For willow I die.
Dirty White Candy, oh, that's lovely. I'm making a note of this one and adding it to my willow song post list right now!
ReplyDeleteDWC, btw, how did you know I just watched The Innocents last week? It's sooo creepy.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget "Willow, weep for me."
ReplyDeleteMr. C., oh yep, it's on the list for sure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice way to end the day after painting--beautiful, Willow! And I'm a huge William Morris fan--love his willows, too.
ReplyDeleteoh these were beautiful willow...think i will like this series...
ReplyDeletegot your email and will reply in a bit...
Lovely videos! I can't wait to see how many willow songs you come up with -- I know there are many.
ReplyDeleteThere is something special about these old songs. They have survived for a reason. Not much to them when written down, but still.
ReplyDeleteThe second "Willow" makes me think of "Down by the Sally Gardens," somehow.
Looking forward to watching these clips, Willow, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was just this morning watching a hummingbird in the overgrown arctic willow shrub on the property behind us. I didn't realize they were attracted to them.
Enjoyed immensely both videos. This is a neat idea about putting together Willow songs. By the way my blue and gold Macaw is named Desdemona.
ReplyDeleteI see you have dressed yourself in white!
Yoli, yes, white for a while. Till the tide changes. Or the moon.
ReplyDeleteDear Willow: The illustrious Ms. DiDonato singing The Willow song from Otello gave me the goosebumps. Wonders with translation the meanings behind this Italian song so dramatic and whom is represented by that huge sculpted head? Zeus? And the papers that were flying before exit stage Rt? The second clip looks interesting, International Film look to it; reminds me of a Louis XIV type castle. Does Ms. Jacob's have a French accent? Lovely verse, of course I am going to have to crack open my Complete works of Shakespeare again. Wonders how the willow theme through history is described. This could take awhile! Well worth it! W. Morris' art; impeccable!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Othello version was captivating. I'm with Mr. Catalyst: "Willow Weep For Me."
ReplyDeleteSo many versions of that popular tune, but my two favorites are Jeanie Bryson, and Sarah Vaughan, in that order. 'Course Chad and Jeremy had a great pop version in '64! Can't wait to see what you give us with that one!
Great post!
Rick
We had both a sofa and matching curtains of Morris's Willow. As good today as it was when first designed.
ReplyDeleteBisou, Cro.
Ah, for a second I thought we were going to get Willow singing her originals!
ReplyDeleteIrene Jacob is, I suppose, a substitute. I won't say an adequate substitute. Lovely as she is.
Thank you for posting both of these wonderful clips. I think Othello is my favorite Shakespeare play, but I've never seen the opera and that was just beautiful! I've never seen that particular movie adaption either. Have you?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to these "willow" posts!
Loving the wickedly willow songs...and looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteNice clips, and a fabulous idea for a series. Looking forward to seeing/hearing more.
ReplyDeleteI love The Innocents! And in the spirit of journalistic completeness I should point out the song is by Isla Cameron.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your next instalment.
The songs are totally new to me so this was a real treat. I know,
ReplyDelete"Willow, weep for me" and, probably, a few more. I look forward to more.
My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!! Finally, at the age of 65, I did it!
( These are poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
Elizabeth, although Shakespeare always fits best on the state, the film version is very well done.
ReplyDeleteDogimo, although I am known to be quite the singer of ditties at the manor, believe me, you'd rather hear DiDonato and Jacob!
ReplyDeleteChic, I believe the DiDonato clip is a montage of various opera performances, not just Otello. And yes, Jacob's accent is French. Add "The Double Life of Veronique" and "Three Colors: Red" to your movie queue!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a series! There are lots of good "willow" songs, & these two were a great kick-off.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to see if I can find John Wayne singing this...by the by, a Tit willow is a bird, and the "willow,tit willow" is supposedly what it's song sounds like.
ReplyDeleteWhat does willow TIT willow mean?
ReplyDeleteLove you and your wild ways..thanks for putting more beauty in my life.
Willow, weep for me. Or not.
ReplyDeleteI love walking through the tangle of willow ... branches? Are they branches? Because they are so flexible surely they are called something else.
Anyway I love walking through them because I believe they clear my energy field. So there.
Looking forward to more willowy fabulousness.
Joyce DiDonato does a wonderful job and the video showing her in different performances is awesome. I look forward to more Willowness!!
ReplyDeleteThere is something magical about a willow, especially in the spring. Our next door neighbor had one in his garden for many years.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the rest of this series--and in a fit of masochism I just have to go find a copy of John Wayne singing.
I just love Willows. Something about reading Wind in the Willows as a child, perhaps? Or was it the Blue Willow china pattern? Or Morris' willow pattern? And then there's your blog...ah, all things willow are lovely ;)
ReplyDeleteAh, such a great post and so much for me to comment on.... I adore Joyce Di Donato....on an operatic note (you are the only person I can share these things with), she sang her first "Octavian" in "Der Rosenkavalier" at SFO a few years back.....and was stellar! Love most "Willow" songs....but, my favourite is the one from Verdi's "Otello"....with the right soprano - hauntingly beautiful.
ReplyDelete(I do love "Willow Weep for Me" too and the Rossini aria is gorgeous.)
Irene Jacob - such a talent. but, it was the luminous vision of Kielslowski's films that bound all the magic together. "Blue" and "White" are also wonderful....he was (sadly) underrated in the States...and gone now - too soon. (Like Minghella..)
Lastly - thank you for the tip about my blog....many people have commented that they can't add me so that my new posts - post! But, no one had any suggestions... I did a bit of tinkering today....let me know if it works now!
Yesterday - piano dress of "Die Walkure"....(I ♥ Wagner).... but, this production has the Walkures "flying" in on parachutes.... waaaah! Fortunately, the brilliant Nina Stemme sings Brunhilde.....and she is a marvel.
Okay - enough from me...off to a "Faust" rehearsal....
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
I had never heard this song...interesting. I look forward to seeing/hearing more "willow" songs in your series.
ReplyDeleteThe Willow pattern is very nice, too.
I'm a little jealous that you have so many willow songs. I doubt I'll ever find a Relyn song.
ReplyDeleteVery nice - I'd not heard either of these before
ReplyDeleteThe best rendition of the Willow song is by counter tenor Alfred Deller accompanied by Desmond Dupre on the lute.
ReplyDeleteMatt, thanks for stopping by. I really enjoyed your music at John's place this morning!
ReplyDeleteOh...what a beautiful song. I have always loved willow trees with their graceful drape of limb and leaf.
ReplyDeleteMy husband sings that song willow tit willow--it's an old Alan Sherman song, I think.
Lovely post!
And that reminds me. . . I took a picture of Willow Street in Hampstead when I was there a couple of weeks ago. I will send it to you.
ReplyDeleteThe Willow pattern is probably the most recognizable William Morris, don't you think?
Othello is one of my all-time favorite movies, and that song - and Irene Jacob singing it - makes it all the more wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes, "Willow" is everywhere. how DO you DO it?
ReplyDelete