This is the first substantial collection ever published of songs by Virgil Thomson (1896-1989), composer of the operas The Mother of Us All and Four Saints in Three Acts. Thomson’s musical style was based in Americana, but he was attracted to abstract poetry. The unique result is traditionalism turned on its ear. The songs date from 1926 until 1974.

Contents: Le Berceau de Gertrude Stein ou Le Mystère de la rue de Fleurus • The Courtship of the Yongly Bongly Bo • The Feast of Love (low voice only) • Film: Deux soeurs qui ne sont pas soeurs • Mostly about Love: Love Song; Down at the Docks; Let’s Take a Walk; A Prayer to Saint Catherine • Portrait of F.B. (Frances Blood) • Praises and Prayers: From the Canticle of the Sun; My Master Hath a Garden; Sung by the Shepherds; Before Sleeping; Jerusalem, My Happy Home • Preciosilla • Shakespeare Songs: Was this fair face the cause; Take, o, take those lips away; Tell me where is Fancy bred; Pardon, Goddess of the night; Sigh no more, ladies • Le Singe et le Léopard • Susie Asado • The Tiger • Two by Marianne More: English Usage; My Crow Pluto.