I Hear America Singing: Songs for the People and The American Songbook at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Our Spring concert, "I Hear America Singing" is a fantastic, inspiring, joyful concert. The first half "Songs for the People" features gospel and spiritual music. The second half, "The American Songbook" focuses on music from the Songbook from 1924-1956.

Act I: Songs for the People

Music Inspires All - Words and Music by Rollo Dilworth Incorporating the Spiritual “(Over My Head, I Hear) Music in the Air”

Songs for the People Words by Frances E.W. Harper Music by Rollo Dilworth

The Negro Speaks of Rivers Words by Langston Hughes Music by Margaret Bonds

I Dream a World Words by Langston Hughes Music by André J. Thomas

I Will Sing - Words and Music by Rosephanye Powell

I Hear America Singing - Words and Music by André Thomas Quoting the Spiritual “Walk Together, Children”

United in Purpose Words by Maya Angelou Music by Rollo Dilworth

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor Words by Emma Lazarus Music by Irving Berlin Arranged by Roy Ringwald

Intermission

Act II: The American Songbook, 1924-1956

Fascinating Rhythm Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Arranged by Mark Hayes

From Lady Be Good, 1924

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Words by Andy Razaf Music by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Harry Brooks Arranged by Mark Hayes Waller recorded the song in 1929. It was also included in the off-Broadway musical revue, Connie’s Hot Chocolates.

I’ve Got the World on a String Words by Ted Koehler Music by Harold Arlen Arranged by Paul Langford

Written for the Cotton Club Parade of 1932

It’s De-Lovely - Words and Music by Cole Porter Arranged by Jay Althouse

Written for Red, Hot, and Blue for Ethel Merman and Bob Hope in 1936

Featured in the Anything Goes 1956 film and later, all stage versions.

They Can’t Take that Away from Me Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Arranged by Mark Hayes

Introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film Shall We Dance?

All the Things You Are Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Music by Jerome Kern Arranged by Mark Hayes

From Very Warm for May, 1939

Long Ago and Far Away Lyrics by Ira Gershwin Music by Jerome Kern Arranged by Mark Hayes

Written for the film musical, Cover Girl, 1944

Too Darn Hot - Lyrics and Music by Cole Porter Arranged by Mark Hayes From Kiss Me, Kate! 1949

When Sunny Gets Blue Words and Music by Jack Segal and Marvin Fischer Arranged by Paul Langford

Originally recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1956

Anything Goes - Words and Music by Cole Porter Arranged by Philip Kern From Anything Goes, 1934