Poetry as Lyrics

Subject: Poetry as Lyrics
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:16 PM

I've written a song using a poem from 1923 as the lyrics and my own new melody. What a novel idea! (Yeah, I've seen past threads about Byron and Tennyson et al). My questions:

What are the copyright considerations if I decide to record this song?
How do I get permission and/or license to use the poem as lyrics? Harry Fox agency seems to deal only with songs.
Do the poems eventually become public domain?
If I change a few words (to fit the song) does that make the lyrics mine?

I actually intend to give the poet credit, since this is an old favorite poem of mine which I want to acknowledge, and I want to do the right thing. Plus, most people will recognize the poem (or am I in English Major Oblivion?).

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 06:23 PM

You missed by a year.

Anything published before 1922 is, as a general rule, public domain.

Until 1978, US copyright was limited to 28 years plus another 28 if renewed. A new law in 1978 extended copyrights then in force for a lot longer. But it couldn't revive copyrights that were already dead.

That's just in US, of course. Other countries have their own rules.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:03 PM

Hi Barb,

    Phil Ochs did this with The Highwayman as did Lorena McKennit all tho' Lorena's melody was an excercise in ponderousness.(Don ducks)

   The late Paul McNiell did it as well with a few Causley poems. The Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience as well as Mother Get Up Unbar the Door were on his "Live at the Troubador" lp. I doubt there is much to worry over and permission yes or no should be easy to determine.

    Maybe an email to Priscilla Herman would help. She used Henry Lawson poems on Waterlilly.

    Good luck

Don

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:26 PM

Unless the poet died before 1936 you will need to get permission.

It better not be by T.S. Eliot - you won't get it.

Other poets' estates ask for ridiculous amounts of money, which is why there aren't many settings of John Berryman out there.

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:41 PM

The poet is Edna St Vincent Millay, and I found the website that administers her copyrights: http://www.millaysociety.org/millayrights.htm

Thanks for the replies, although now I'm dreading the possibility of them asking "ridiculous amounts of money" for the permission. But now I'm all set to go if and when I ever decide to record the song, if and when I ever learn to play it well enough and talk Frank into singing it!

While on the subject, one of my favorite poems as lyrics is Rani Arbo's "Crossing the Bar" with words by Tennyson.

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:55 PM

Rudyard Kiplings estate people were totally opposed to the Peter Bellamy settings of his poetry - Not sure wether there WAS an agreement or not , but did it detract from Kiplings popularity ??

Subject: RE: Poetry as Lyrics
From: Ref
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:27 PM

This is a good question and I like the answers, but here's a further question. I love Alan (Pete's uncle) Seeger's "I have a rendezvous with death..." poem and set it to music, but I have a sneaky feeling I'm just remembering a song someone else has already done. Anybody heard that one?