1995
Genius Child
Composed by 
Ricky Ian Gordon
Ricky Ian Gordon Text by 
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes Genius Child: A Cycle of 10 Songs Song Collection
"Genius Child" is the second song in Ricky Ian Gordon's song cycle Genius Child, which sets the poems of Langston Hughes.
Text
Genius Child
by Langston Hughes
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!
–The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, p. 198
Sheet Music
Genius Child
Ricky Ian Gordon
1. Winter Moon
2. Genius Child
3. Kid in the Park
4. To Be Somebody
5. Troubled Woman
6. Strange Hurt: Long Version
7. Strange Hurt: Short Version
8. Prayer
9. Border Line
10. My People
11. Joy
2. Genius Child
3. Kid in the Park
4. To Be Somebody
5. Troubled Woman
6. Strange Hurt: Long Version
7. Strange Hurt: Short Version
8. Prayer
9. Border Line
10. My People
11. Joy