A drop fell on the apple tree

A drop fell on the apple tree.
Another on the roof;
A half a dozen kissed the eaves,
And made the gables laugh.

A few went out to help the brook,
That went to help the sea.
Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,
What necklaces could be!

The dust replaced in hoisted roads,
The birds jocoser sung;
The sunshine threw his hat away,
The orchard spangles hung.

The breezes brought dejected lutes,
And bathed them in the glee;
The East put out a single flag,
And signed the fête away.

by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) , no title, from Poems of Emily Dickinson, published 1890

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Ernst Bacon (1898-1990) , "A drop fell on the apple tree", published 1947. [cantata: SSAA chorus, soprano solo, piano or orchestra]
by Clarence Dickinson (1873-1969) , "Summer shower", published 1897 [voice and piano], from Six Songs, no. ?
by Arthur Farwell (1872-1952) , "Summer shower", op. 73 no. 1, published 1928, from Three Dickinson Poems, no. 1.
by Richard Kent , "A drop fell on the apple tree", published 1971 [SSA or TTBB chorus a cappella], from Spring Songs, no. ?

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for Summer shower, A drop fell on the apple tree, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Summer shower, A drop fell on the apple tree, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Summer shower, A drop fell on the apple tree, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Summer shower, A drop fell on the apple tree, art song, Lieder, or chansons

Books:

  The Art of the Song Recital [amazon.com]
  The Book of Lieder: The Original Texts of Over 1000 Songs [amazon.com]
  Search amazon.com for art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for art song, lieder, or chansons

Classical Vocal Repertoire