1946
Joy
Composed by 
Howard Swanson
Howard Swanson Text by 
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes "Joy" is a song by Howard Swanson setting the poetry of Langston Hughes. Howard Swanson and Langston Hughes were friends and collaborators during the Harlem Renaissance.
Text
Joy
by Langston Hughes
I went to look for Joy,
Slim, dancing Joy,
Gay, laughing Joy,
Bright-eyed Joy–
And I found her
Driving the butcher’s cart
In the arms of the butcher boy!
Such company, such company,
As keeps this young nymph, Joy!
–The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, p. 63
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