I was asked to put together a children’s piece for the island’s upcoming IFC Music Festival, and here’s the song I chose (I absolutely adore the UU hymnbook, where this and tons of other American poets’ work can be found):

In Time of Silver Rain

In time of silver rain
The earth
Puts forth new life again,
Green grasses grow
And flowers lift their heads,
And over all the plain
The wonder spreads
Of life,
of life,
of life!
In time of silver rain
The butterflies
Lift silken wings
To catch a rainbow cry,
And trees put forth
New leaves to sing
In joy beneath the sky
As down the roadway
Passing boys and girls
Go singing, too,
In time of silver rain
When spring
And life
Are new.

–Langston Hughes
Music is by George Walker, and it’s amazingly, hauntingly beautiful. I think the kids singing this will be perfect.