KEITH WHITLEY & LORRIE MORGAN - 'TIL A TEAR BECOMES A ROSE

 'TIL A TEAR BECOMES A ROSE

KEITH WHITLEY

SONGWRITERS: RICE WILBURN S & VAUGHN M SHARON

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: KEITH WHITLEY – GREATEST HITS

LABEL: RCA VICTOR

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 1990

 

         Jackie Keith Whitley (July 1, 1954 – May 9, 1989) was an American country music singer. During his career, Whitley only recorded two albums but charted 12 singles on the Billboard country charts, and 7 more after his death.

        Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Whitley began his career there in 1970, performing in Ralph Stanley's band. Establishing himself as a lead singer in bluegrass music, Whitley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983 and began his recording career there. His first Top 20 Country Hit single, "Miami, My Amy", was released in 1986. In 1988, his first three singles from his studio álbum Don't Close Your Eyes, the title song, "When You Say Nothing at All" and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" were number one hits. Years of alcoholism severely compromised his health and he died of alcohol intoxication in 1989 at his Goodlettsville home at the age of 34. His later singles, "I Wonder Do You Think of Me", "It Ain't Nothin'", and "I'm Over You", were released after his death.

        Loretta Lynn Morgan (born June 27, 1959) is an American country music singer. She is the daughter of George Morgan, widow of Keith Whitley, and ex-wife of Jon Randall and Sammy Kershaw, all of whom are also country music singers. Morgan has been active as a singer since the age of 13, and charted her first single in 1979. She achieved her greatest success between 1988 and 1999, recording for RCA Records Nashville and the defunct BNA Records. Her first two RCA albums (Leave the Light On and Something in Red) and her BNA album Watch Me are all certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The 1995 compilation Reflections: Greatest Hits is her best-selling album with a double-platinum certification; War Paint, Greater Need, and Shakin' Things Up, also on BNA, are certified gold.

        Morgan has made over forty chart entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including three number-one singles: "Five Minutes", "What Part of No", and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", along with eleven additional top-ten hits. Morgan has recorded in collaboration with her father, as well as Whitley, Randall, Kershaw, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Andy Williams, the New World Philharmonic, and Pam Tillis. She is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Morgan's musical style is defined largely by country pop influences and her dramatic singing voice, with frequent stylistic comparisons to

      "'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose" is a song originally recorded by American country music artist Leon Everette. It was released in 1985 from his álbum Where's the Fire. His version of the song peaked at number 44 on Hot Country Songs.

        The song was later covered by Keith Whitley as a duet with then-wife Lorrie Morgan. Posthumously released in July 1990, it was the only single from his Greatest Hits compilation album. This version peaked at number 13 on the country singles charts and won the Vocal Event of the Year at the Country Music Association awards.

      Another version was released in 1990 by Jann Browne on her album Tell Me Why.

         John Prine and Fiona Whelan Prine also covered the song for the 1999 album In Spite of Ourselves.

        In 2015, a version of the song was released by singer Kevin Moon and Bluegrass artist Rhonda Vincent for Moon's Throwback CD.

Darling, I can see the clouds around you
And in your heart I know a sorrow grows
But if you weep I'll be right here to hold you
'Til each tear you cry becomes a rose
 
Dearest love, I know your heart been shattered
And all my words can offer no relief
But my love will heal the pain you've suffered
And I'll be here if you should turn to me
 
Darling, I can see the clouds around you
And in your heart I know a sorrow grows
But if you weep I'll be right here to hold you
'Til each tear you cry becomes a rose
 
In deepest night when memories tend to gather
Lay with me and put your fears to sleep
'Cause there's no pain no dream can put us under
All the love that binds you and me
 
Darling, I can see the clouds around you
And in your heart I know a sorrow grows
But if you weep I'll be right here to hold you
'Til each tear you cry becomes a rose 
'Til each tear you cry becomes a rose.