2017

The Foolish Heart

Composed by Jacqueline Hairston

Cullen’s Trilogy Song Collection

"The Foolish Heart" is a song from the cycle "Cullen's Triology" by Jacqueline Hairston on poetry by Countee Cullen

Audio

“The Foolish Heart” (from “Cullen’s Trilogy”)
Phillip Harris, baritone; Amelia Hammond, piano1:54

Jacqueline Hairston

Composer

Countee Cullen

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2022

Date

University of California, Irvine, Winifred Smith Hall

Location

This recording was part of a 10am concert ("In Memorium – Dorothy Rudd Moore 1940–2022") on Saturday, October 15, 2022 during the 25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference. The concert venue was Winifred Smith Hall at the University of California, Irvine.

Text

“The Foolish Heart” by Countee Cullen

The quiet moon has faded in sight
Yet he lingers in the lonely night
Just once he wishes they might
Just once things could be right
So dreams he would invite
And dreams he delight
Dreams of light and excite
Yet reality prove be blight

Still he wishes to fight
Still he holds on tight
Still he dreams of plight
Still his sprite grows in height

His heart defies his mind
It made his eyes go blind
To one it has confine
And reasons it left behind