About the song
Willie Nelson’s Opportunity to Cry is one of those heartbreak songs that manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable. Originally written by Nelson in the late 1950s, the song first appeared on a 1962 album by Ray Price, but it has since become a treasured part of Nelson’s own catalog, especially with his deeply expressive rendition. The song captures the essence of classic country storytelling: a man sitting in a bar, witnessing the love of his life in the arms of another, and grappling with the quiet devastation of lost love. But as with so many of Nelson’s finest compositions, there’s something more profound at work beneath the surface—a resignation to fate, an almost philosophical acceptance of heartbreak as an inevitable part of life.
One of Nelson’s greatest strengths as a songwriter has always been his ability to write songs that feel as though they’ve existed forever, like old folk tales passed down through generations. Opportunity to Cry is no exception. The lyrics are striking in their simplicity, using plainspoken language to paint a vivid picture of sorrow and regret. Lines like “Just watchin’ her go, is like dying slow” cut straight to the heart, encapsulating the kind of pain that lingers long after love has faded. There’s no bitterness in the song—only sadness, reflection, and an almost poetic understanding that loss is part of the human experience.
Musically, Opportunity to Cry is a masterclass in understatement. Nelson’s signature phrasing—his tendency to sing just behind the beat, stretching lines in unexpected ways—adds an unvarnished authenticity to the performance. The instrumentation is sparse yet effective, allowing the weight of the lyrics to settle in. The melody is deceptively simple, following the natural contours of speech in a way that makes the song feel even more intimate.
What makes this song especially poignant is the way Nelson delivers it. His voice, always rich with character, doesn’t force the emotion—it lets it unfold naturally, as if he’s simply telling a sad story over a drink with an old friend. This lack of pretense is what gives Opportunity to Cry its staying power. It’s not a song that begs for attention or grand gestures; instead, it lingers quietly, its sadness creeping in like an old memory that refuses to fade.
For those who appreciate the art of country music in its purest form, Opportunity to Cry is a small but powerful gem—one that reminds us that sometimes, all we can do is sit back and accept the heartache that life hands us. Willie Nelson has written countless songs that explore love and loss, but this one stands out for its quiet, resigned beauty.
Video
Lyrics
Just watch the sunrise on the other side of town
Once more I’ve waited and once more you’ve let me down
This would be a perfect time for me to die I’d like to take this opportunity to cry
You gave your word now I return it to you with this suggestion as to what you can do
Just exchange the words I love you for goodbye while I take this opportunity to cry
I’d like to see you but I’m afraid that I don’t know wrong from right
And if I saw you would I kiss you or want to kill you out of sight
It’s been a long night so I think I’ll go home
And feed my nightmares they’ve been waiting all night long
They’ll be the last ones to tell me goodbye
And they’ll give me many opportunities to cry
They’ll give me many opportunities to cry
