A Life Lesson - (2018)   

James Whitcomb Riley

for baritone and piano

 

There! little girl; don't cry!
They have broken your doll, I know;
And your tea-set blue,
And your play-house, too,
Are things of the long ago;
But childish troubles will soon pass by. --
There! little girl; don't cry!

There! little girl; don't cry!
They have broken your slate, I know;
And the glad, wild ways
Of your schoolgirl days
Are things of the long ago;
But life and love will soon come by. --
There! little girl; don't cry!

There! little girl; don't cry!
They have broken your heart I know;
And the rainbow gleams
Of your youthful dreams
Are things of the long ago;
But Heaven holds all for which you sigh. --
There! little girl; don't cry!

2 pages, circa 2' 00"

 

 

This little verse of three simple stanzas is set for baritone and piano as an AAA', the last stanza rising s full step.

 

 

Gentle with respect for the text and its sentiment, it should be performed without effect. For another song setting of and more information about this Midwestern poet, see his amusing text, The Lugubrious Whing-Whang .

 

 

The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this art song score.

 

A Life Lesson