Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston Lyrics
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'Neath that weeping willow tree
When she comes she'll find me sleeping
Then perhaps she'll think of me
It's many a night while you're sleeping
Sleeping in your sleeping clothes
I'm a poor boy, broken hearted
Bury me beneath the willow
'Neath that weeping willow tree
When she comes she'll find me sleeping
Then perhaps she'll think of me
Tomorrow was to be our wedding
God, oh Lord, where can she be
She has gone to find another
She no longer cares for me
Bury me beneath the willow
'Neath that weeping willow tree
When she comes she'll find me sleeping
Then perhaps she'll think of me
The song "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" is a poignant ballad that explores the themes of unrequited love and heartbreak. The lyrics depict a man who is deeply in love with a woman who has abandoned him, leaving him brokenhearted and alone. The title itself suggests the theme of death, as the man requests to be buried beneath a weeping willow tree, perhaps symbolizing his sorrow and despair. He hopes that the woman he loves will one day find him there and remember the love they once shared.
The first verse of the song describes the man's wish to be buried beneath a weeping willow tree. He believes that when his beloved comes to visit him, she will see him sleeping and be reminded of their love. The second verse delves deeper into the man's pain, as he describes how he listens to the wind at night, thinking of his lost love. The third verse reveals the cause of his heartache, as the man laments that his wedding day was meant to be the next day, but his love has left him for another.
The song's lyrics are simple yet moving, and they have resonated with audiences for generations. The emotive melodies and harmonies, along with the raw emotion portrayed in the lyrics, make it a classic in the folk music genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Bury me beneath the willow
I want to be buried under the willow tree
'Neath that weeping willow tree
Underneath the willow tree that looks like it's crying
When she comes she'll find me sleeping
When she comes back she'll see that I've died and I'm resting
Then perhaps she'll think of me
Maybe she'll remember me when she sees where I'm buried
It's many a night while you're sleeping
While you're asleep at night
Sleeping in your sleeping clothes
Wearing your pajamas and sleeping outfit
I'm a poor boy, broken hearted
I'm poor and my heart is shattered
Listenin' to the wind that blows
Hearing the wind blow
Tomorrow was to be our wedding
We were supposed to get married tomorrow
God, oh Lord, where can she be
Dear God, where is she?
She has gone to find another
She left to find someone else
She no longer cares for me
She doesn't love me anymore
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Owly Bluesman
Thats SOnny Terry on the harp and with the whoohoos. A Blues Legend! Great Song. Love Woody, love the blues!
Ciaran H
Lyrics for this song as sung above.
Solo +
CHORUS:
bury me beneath the willow
Beneath that weeping willow treeWhen she comes, Shell find me sleeping
And then perhaps shell think of me
It’s a Many a night while you lay
sleeping,Sleeping in/on your sweet repose
I’m a poor boy broken hearted
Listen to the wind that blows.
Chorus +Solo
Tomorrow was to be our wedding
But oh lord, where can she be
she is gone, to Find another
she no longer cares for me. CHORUS:
Key is Dmajor.