1978


Bartholomew Green

Composed by Richard Hundley
Text by James Purdy
Bartholomew Green was completed on All Saints Day, November 1-2, 1978 in New York City. It is dedicated to James Purdy. In the foreword to the volume of songs, Hundley writes about Bartholomew Green, "I tried to capture the zany quality of James Purdy's poem..." (Hundley, 1981). --Esther Jane Hardenbergh

Text

Bartholomew Green
by James Purdy

Bartholomew Green
Was seldom seen,
While Corliss Hart
Flamed in the dark.

Amelia Swan
Came as the Dawn.
While Isadore Gray
Simply faded away.

from An Oyster is a Wealthy Beast by James Purdy.
(Black Sparrow Press)
Copyright 1967 by James Purdy

Books

An Oyster is a Wealthy Beast

James Purdy

Sheet Music