“Cry me a river. Build a bridge. Get over it”
“Cry (me) a river. Build a bridge. Get over it” is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. “Cry Me a River”—to shed a lot of tears—is the title of a 1953 song written by Arthur Hamilton. American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake also published a song titled “Cry Me a River” (2002), but it also does not contain the lyrics “build a bridge, get over it.”
“The world is literally coming apart. . . Build a bridge and get over it” was said by Rev. Leonard Sweet, dean of United Methodist-related Drew University Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, at the 17th World Methodist Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1996. He did not say “cry (me) a river.”
“Cry yourself a river, build a bridge and get over it” was posted on the newsgroup dfw.singles on November 27, 2000. “Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it” was printed in Florida Today (Melbourne, FL) on January 5, 2001. “Cry a river, build a bridge and get over it” was printed in the Indianapolis (IN) Star on June 23, 2002.
It’s not known who first combined “cry (me) a river” with “build a bridge and get over it.”
Wikipedia: Cry Me a River (Arthur Hamilton song)
“Cry Me a River” is a popular American torch song, written by Arthur Hamilton, first published in 1953 and made famous in 1955 with the version by Julie London.
Origins and early recordings
Arthur Hamilton later said of the song: “I had never heard the phrase. I just liked the combination of words… Instead of ‘Eat your heart out’ or ‘I’ll get even with you,’ it sounded like a good, smart retort to somebody who had hurt your feelings or broken your heart.” He was initially concerned that listeners would hear a reference to the Crimea, rather than “..cry me a…”, but said that “..sitting down and playing the melody and coming up with lyrics made it a nonissue.”
Wikipedia: Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)
“Cry Me a River” is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Justin Timberlake for his debut studio album, Justified (2002). It was written by Timberlake and Scott Storch with producer Timbaland and was inspired by Timberlake’s former relationship with singer Britney Spears. Jive Records released the song to contemporary hit and rhythmic radio in the United States on November 26, 2002, as the album’s second single.
Google Groups: alt.support.ex-cult.siddha-yoga
‘Stop whining, get a life,’ says seminary dean
Shinganga
11/6/98
‘Stop whining, get a life,’ says seminary dean
—8/22/96
By THOMAS McANALLY
Ecumenical News International
RIO DE JANEIRO—A leading United Methodist clergyman has told Christians to quit complaining about the difficulties they face in today’s world and instead deal with growing divisions in society.
The Rev. Leonard Sweet, dean of United Methodist-related Drew University Seminary in Madison, N.J., urged Christians to stop “whining, complaining, wimping out, cry-babying.” He was speaking on Aug. 10 to more than 2,500 Methodists at the 17th World Methodist Conference in Rio de Janeiro.
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“The world is literally coming apart. . . Build a bridge and get over it.”
25 April 1999, Detroit (MI) News and Free Press, “This is Kosovo in our back yard” by Laura Berman, pg. 4A, col. 4:
“I am only 12, so I don’t know very much,” he said. “But my grandmother, who did know quite a bit, always said: “Build a bridge and get over it.’”
Google Groups: dfw.singles
Holiday: Newsflash to Diva Delowest >> You are obviously NO ONES friend and unfortunately NEVER absent <<
ZeroAndOne
11/27/00
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Another recent thoughtful quote from Delowest:
>I hope writing released some of your pain and anger. Posting it here
>means you are still in pain and seek others to come look at your scars.
>Cry yourself a river, build a bridge and get over it.
1 January 2001, The Daily Spectrum (Saint George, UT), “Don’t follow the crowd, be your own leader” by Ashley Goodrich, Teen & School Notes, pg. C1, col. 3:
What I did notice during my experience was the different sayings each of us has. Everyone has some little phrase that they say constantly, almost like our individual trademarks. Here are some examples:
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“Cry yourself a river, build a bridge and get over it.”—Stephani Stewart
5 January 2001, Florida Today (Melbourne, FL), “Montana Soriero,” Spotlight on Kids, pg. 3D, col. 4:
Words to live by: “Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it.”
Google Groups: alt.radio.talk.dr-laura
Mea culpa
Tinas49ers
3/11/01
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Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!
5 May 2002, Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY), “Readers Write,” pg. 2E, cols. 1-2:
The way I see it, cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it.
(...)
DeLinda Belcher
Utica
23 June 2002, Indianapolis (IN) Star, “Let It Out,” pg. J3, col. 1:
To all the people who cry all the time to Let It Out: Cry a river, build a bridge and get over it.
Quora
What does cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it mean?
Mark Jones, An occasional deep thinker.
Answered Mar 23, 2017
It is an extended metaphor. There is an older metaphor which is the first clause: cry me a river. This simply means that on hearing a sad story, the listener is unsympathetic, and suggests sarcastically to the speaker to stop whining about it after crying so much to create a river of tears.
The extension intensifies the sarcasm by suggesting that the river of tears should be so large you need a bridge to get across the new river. Then it finishes with get over it, which is a pun, suggesting that you physically cross the bridge and in the process get over it, which also means to put your sadness behind you.
Google Books
Title Cry a River. Build a Bridge. Get Over It.: Inspirational & Motivational Journal 110 Blank Lined & Numbered Pages 8.5 X 11 to Write in Notebook Diary
Author Archess
Publisher Independently Published, 2018
ISBN 1790854415, 9781790854417
Length 112 pages
Subjects Self-Help › Motivational & Inspirational
YourTango
21 Love Quotes You Need In Your Life If You’re Trying To Move On From A Breakup
Mitzi Bockmann
February 26, 2019
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21. You will move on
“Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it.” — Justin Timberlake