Litany

"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.

Date: 1997Composer: Ricky Ian GordonText: Langston HughesSong Collection: Only Heaven

Print vitals & song text

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

Composer(s): Ricky Ian Gordon

Song(s): 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

Buy via Hal Leonard

Support us and help us grow

Dear friends, Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive online archive of American song. Your gift is greatly appreciated.