This is one of a few of his songs that Ives did not publish in his comprehensive book 114 Songs. It is a conventional love song, and supports the inference that at this phase in his life—between his graduation from Yale in 1898 and his abrupt resignation for his last post as a professional musician in 1902—Ives had some idea of at least keeping open the option to become a full-time composer/academic.

The state of the manuscript makes it pretty plain why he never published the song: It was incomplete. John Kirkpatrick, editing it, had to fill in some vacant bars in the piano part, make choices between possible interpretations of illegible erasures and write-overs, and write in some expression notations.

It is an attractive love song, with sentiments (by an unknown poet) that would be right at home on a Valentine's or anniversary card: My life is dear to me "Because Thou Art," is the message.

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