Old American Songs, Set 1

Old American Songs are two sets of songs arranged by Aaron Copland in 1950 and 1952 respectively, after research in the Sheet Music Collection of the Harris Collection of American Poetry and Plays, in the John Hay Library at Brown University. Originally scored for voice and piano, they were reworked for baritone (or mezzo-soprano) and orchestra.

Set 1 was first performed by Peter Pears (tenor) and Benjamin Britten (piano) on June 17, 1950, at Aldeburgh. The version of Set 1 for baritone and orchestra was premiered on January 7, 1955, by William Warfield and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Alfred Wallenstein.

Set 2 was first performed by William Warfield and Aaron Copland (piano) on 24 July 1953 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and later, in its orchestral form, by Grace Bumbry (mezzo-soprano) and the Ojai Festival Orchestra, conducted by the composer, in Ojai, California on 25 May 1958. Set 2 was recorded by Warfield and Copland on August 18, 1953, for Columbia Records.

Set 1
The Boatman's Dance (minstrel song from 1843)

The Dodger (campaign song)

Long Time Ago (ballad)

Simple Gifts (Shaker song)

I Bought Me a Cat (children's song, Roud Folk Song Index No. 544)

Set 2