If I can stop one heart from breaking

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

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 Floy Little Bartlett (1883-) , "I shall not live in vain", published 1915.
by Gloria Coates (1938-) , "If I can stop one heart from breaking", from 15 Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson, no. 14.
by Richard Hageman (1882-1966) , "Charity", published 1921.
by Jake Heggie (1961-) , "I shall not live in vain", 1995, rev. 1998, first performed 1998. [mezzo-soprano, girls' chorus (SA), hand bells, and piano]
by John Brodbin Kennedy , "If I can stop one heart from breaking", published 1966 [2-part chorus of treble voices a cappella], from Sails, Robins, and Butterflies, no. ?
by Otto Luening (1900-1996) , "If I can stop one heart from breaking", published 1961 [medium voice and piano], from Songs to Poems of Emily Dickinson, no. ?
by Peter Christian Lutkin (1858-1931) , "If I can stop one heart from breaking" [hymn], note: has an optional stanza by Earl Marlatt (unavailable)
by James G. MacDermid , "If I can stop one heart from breaking", published 1908.
by Janie A. Patterson , "Not in vain", published 1944.
by Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987) , "Robin", op. 68 (Hymns and Responses) no. 3, published 1956.
by Oley Speaks (1874-1948) , "Charity", published 1911.
by Earl Towner (1890-?) , "Not in vain"

ITA Italian (Ferdinando Albeggiani)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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