Voicing: SSATBB a cappella
Composed by Z. Randall Stroope
Written in 1934, "When I Have Sung My Songs" is arguably Charles' most famous solo song and, to this day, often closes vocal recitals. (He wrote both the music and the lyrics to the solo version.) His style of writing bridged the gap between Cole Porter and the more classical art song of the day. Audiences have long enjoyed his expressive melodies (with ample rubato), and his "cross-over" style of popular and classical.
Z. Randall Stroope set the lyrics of Ernest Charles' work to a new melody in an unaccompanied mixed chorus medium. Great effort was made to maintain the natural simplicity and innate expressive character of Charles' lyrics.