1944
The Grass So Little Has To Do
Composed by 
Ernst Bacon
Ernst Bacon Text by 
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson "The Grass So Little Has To Do," the original verse published in 1890, has also been set by American composer Arthur Farwell. Ernst Bacon set this song twice: once in 1931 and again in 1936. Both versions of the song are included in Bacon's collection simply titled Songs From Emily Dickinson for Medium/High Voice, published by Classical Vocal Reprints.
Text
The grass so little has to do
by Emily Dickinson
The grass so little has to do, –
A sphere of simple green,
With only butterflies to brood,
And bees to entertain,
And stir all day to pretty tunes
The breezes fetch along,
And hold the sunshine in its lap
And bow to everything;
And thread the dews all night, like pearls,
And make itself so fine, –
A duchess were too common
For such a noticing.
And even when it dies, to pass
In odors so divine,
As lowly spices gone to sleep,
Or amulets of pine.
And then to dwell in sovereign barns,
And dream the days away, –
The grass so little has to do,
I wish I were the hay!
Sheet Music
Songs from Emily Dickinson
Ernst Bacon
As If the Sea Should Part
Let down the bars
O friend
The grass so little has to do
A threadless way
The postponeless Creature
I'm Nobody
My river runs to thee
How still the bells
The sun went down
The grass so little has to do
Savior
She went as quiet as the dew
Wild nights
Let down the bars
O friend
The grass so little has to do
A threadless way
The postponeless Creature
I'm Nobody
My river runs to thee
How still the bells
The sun went down
The grass so little has to do
Savior
She went as quiet as the dew
Wild nights