1997

Litany

Composed by Ricky Ian Gordon

Only Heaven Song Collection

"Litany" is a song by Ricky Ian Gordon setting a poem by Langston Hughes. The song is part of Ricky Ian Gordon's collection Only Heaven, which sets seventeen poems of Langston Hughes.

Text

Prayer [2]
by Langston Hughes

Gather up
In the arms of your pity
The sick, the depraved,
The desperate, the tired,
All the scum
Of our weary city.

Gather up
In the arms of your pity.
Gather up
In the arms of your love–
Those who expect
No love from above.

–The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, pp. 138-139

Sheet Music

Only Heaven

Ricky Ian Gordon
Harlem Night Song
Daybreak In Alabama
When Sue Wears Red
Late Last Night
Port Town
Angel Wings
Luck
Delinquent
Dream Variations
In Time Of Silver Rain
Song For A Dark Girl
Drum
Litany
Dream
Night: Four Songs
Demand
Stars
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