The Willow Tree

Photo: Karen Jaffe
“It was down by the Sally* gardens
My love and I did meet
She crossed the Sally gardens
With little snow-white feet
She bid me to take life easy
As the leaves grow on the tree
But I was young and foolish
And her I did not agree …”
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
*willow
A thatched cottage, CozyMedley
Yeats was inspired by the Irish country life and folk songs. Willow sticks were used for basket making and for roof thatching.
Enjoy Loreena Mckennitt’s moving performance of
Down the Sally Gardens”

Basketry was an important craft in human culture throughout the world.
Here are a few examples of willow weaving inspired by old traditions,
made by members of the Great Basin Basketmakers Guild (Nevada, USA):

Sue Coleman
Betty Hulse
Leah Brady
Carol Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

A willow chair
Time to take a seat and relax with “La rosa y el sauce”
(The Rose and the Willow) by Argentinian composer
Carlos Guastavino (1912-2000). Original music set to a poem by
Francisco Silva y Valdés (1887-1975), describing how the willow weeps
after its entwined rose is cut off.
Here is a beautiful arrangement for viola and piano:
(To watch – click on YouTube)

Photo: Karen Jaffe

“Weeping willow tree
Weep in sympathy …
Lyrics & Music: Ann Ronell (1905-1993)

“Willow Weep for Me” by Ronell in Ella Fitzgerald’s soothing voice:

Photo: Karen Jaffe

If you’d like to see more crafty ideas, visit our posts: Art Notes and Hands-On.