Willow Weep for Me - Part 1
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Willow Weep for Me is a pop song written by Ann Ronell in 1932. Because female songwriters had a hard time selling their tunes – and because Ronell had dedicated it to fellow songwriter George Gershwin – Willow Weep for Me wasn’t picked up until Irving Berlin gave it a chance. It became an instant hit with both Ted Fio Rito and Paul Whiteman and was later recorded by dozens of artists, including Chad and Jeremy, a British duo who took it to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. However, my favorite version remains Frank Sinatra’s 1958 rendition on his Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely album.
Being sad or melancholy to the point of weeping is something to which we can all relate. In fact, the Bible is full of such examples (and one is listed in our closing verse). But no one tackles the subject of sadness quite like the “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Haddon Spurgeon… so let’s lend him an ear.
“Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season is so propitious.”
“Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so with those who sow in the same style.”
“Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou hast the promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some result of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee.”
Remember my friend, there will be no more death, sorrow, or crying in heaven (see Revelation 21:4).
“O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.” Isaiah 30:19 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
