How thin and sharp is the moon tonight! [ ... ]
Genius Child: A Cycle of 10 Songs
Song Cycle by Ricky Ian Gordon (b. 1956)
1. Winter moon
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), copyright ©
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This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.2. Genius child
Language: English
This is a song for the genius child. Sing it softly, for the song is wild. Sing it softly as ever you can -- Lest the song get out of hand. Nobody loves a genius child. Can you love an eagle, Tame or wild? Wild or tame, Can you love a monster Of frightening name? Nobody loves a genius child. Kill him -- and let his soul run wild!
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Genius child", appears in Fields of Wonder, first published 1947
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. Kid in the park
Language: English
Lonely little question mark on a bench in the park: See the people passing by? See the airplanes in the sky? See the birds flying home before dark? Home's just around the corner there -- but not really anywhere.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Kid in the park"
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. To be somebody
Language: English
Little girl Dreaming of a baby grand piano (Not knowing there's a Steinway bigger, bigger) Dreaming of a baby grand to play That stretches paddle-tailed across the floor, Not standing upright Like a bad boy in the corner, But sending music Up the stairs and down the stairs And out the door To confound even Hazel Scott Who might be passing! Oh! Little boy Dreaming of the boxing gloves Joe Louis wore, The gloves that sent Two dozen men to the floor. Knockout! Bam! Bop! Mop! There's always room, They say, At the top.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "To be somebody"
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. Troubled woman
Language: English
She stands In the quiet darkness, This troubled woman Bowed by Weariness and pain Like an Autumn flower In the frozen rain, Like a Wind-blown autumn flower That never lifts its head Again.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Troubled woman", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]6. Strange hurt
Language: English
In times of stormy weather She felt queer pain That said, "You'll find rain better Than shelter from the rain." Days filled with fiery sunshine Strange hurt she knew That made Her seek the burning sunlight Rather than the shade In months of snowy winter When cozy houses hold, She'd break down doors To wander naked In the cold.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Strange hurt"
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]7. Prayer
Language: English
I ask you this: Which way to go? I ask you this: Which sin to bear? Which crown to put Upon my hair? I do not know, Lord God, I do not know.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Prayer"
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]8. Border line
Language: English
I used to wonder About living and dying -- I think the difference lies Between tears and crying. I used to wonder About here and there -- I think the distance Is nowhere.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Border line", appears in Fields of Wonder, in Border Line, no. 1, first published 1947
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]9. My people
Language: English
The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people. The stars are beautiful, So the eyes of my people. Beautiful, also, is the sun. Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "My people"
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]10. Joy
Language: English
I went to look for Joy, Slim, dancing Joy, Gay, laughing Joy, Bright-eyed Joy -- And I found her Driving the butcher's cart In the arms of the butcher boy! Such company, such company, As keeps this young nymph, Joy!
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Joy", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Dr Alissa RoseTotal word count: 451