The Golden Treasury of American Songs and Lyrics by Frederic Lawrence Knowles

Description

The Golden Treasury of American Songs and Lyrics by Frederic Lawrence Knowles is a curated collection of American poetry and lyrics written in the late 19th century. The compilation aims to present a selection of around one hundred and fifty significant American lyrics, emphasizing merit over popularity, and seeks to provide a critical anthology that represents the best of American lyrical traditions. The collection covers works from various notable poets, capturing the essence of American life and sentiment. The opening of the anthology introduces the editor’s preface, detailing the intention behind the compilation. Knowles expresses a need for a discerning approach to selecting poems, highlighting the importance of quality over quantity. He acknowledges the diverse landscape of American poetry while admitting the subjectivity of his choices. Following this contextual framework, the text of the book begins with a series of lyrical poems that reflect themes of nature, love, and loss, showcasing the emotional depth and beauty inherent in American verse. The verses selected for the beginning illustrate a range of experiences, laying the groundwork for a rich exploration of American poetic tradition throughout the anthology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)