“Willie the Weeper”

Description

Willie the Weeper, a chimney sweep, is a hop addict. One night he has a particularly wild dream, with the (Queen of somewhere) making him promises. The further course of the ballad varies, but usually describes a crash

Cross references

• cf. "Cocaine Lil" (tune)

Recordings

• Louis Armstrong, "Willie the Weeper" (Vocalion 3381, 1937)
• Roy Evans, "Willie the Weeper" (Columbia 15687-D, 1931; rec. 1928)
• Ernest Rogers, "Willie the Chimney Sweeper" (Columbia 15012-D, 1925) (Victor 20502, 1927)
• Marc Williams, "Willie the Weeper" (Brunswick 240, 1928)

References

1. Randolph 507, "Willie the Weeper" (1 fragment, 1 tune)
2. PBB 115, "Willy the Weeper" (1 text)
3. Sandburg, pp. 204-205, "Willy the Weeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 184-185, "Willie the Weeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Lomax-FSNA 223, "Willie the Weeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
6. Spaeth-ReadWeep, pp. 103-106, "Willie the Weeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
7. Spaeth-WeepMore, pp. 123-125, "Willie the Weeper" (2 texts, 1 tune)
8. Silber-FSWB, p. 26, "Willy the Weeper" (1 text)
9. DT, WILLWEP1 WILLWEP2
10. Roud #977
11. BI, R507