Between 1790 and 1860 vocal composition was the most popular type of music. These consisted of art, popular, and patriotic songs with piano accompaniment. The texts touched on topics such as love, absence, war or patriotism, and the human emotions connected with these subjects. Not surprisingly the approaches largely mirrored traditions of England, continental Europe, and increasingly in the nineteenth century those of the United States of America. Sometimes, though, these universal themes were placed within a clear Canadian context beyond that of being produced by a composer born or resident in Canada at the time.

WILLIAM DICHMONT

1. Spirit of Life

ERNEST MACMILLAN

2. Songs from Sappho

JOHN BURGE

3. There is a Medlar Tree

LEO ROY

4. Petite Prière

CLARENCE LUCAS

5. Mädchenherz

GENA BRANSCOMBE

6. Glück

W.O. FORSYTH

7. Frühlingsabend

GABRIEL CUSSON

8. Vous chantez payse

ALBERTINE MORIN-LABREQUE

9. Maman, je ne veux pas grandir

AUGUSTE DESCARRIES

10. L’Image dans l’eau

STEPHEN CODMAN

11. The Fairy Song

FRANCIS WOOLCOTT

12. « Oh! No, We never talk in French

CÉLESTIN LAVIGUEUR

13. Amour!

EDWARD B. MANNING

14. Now High, Now Low

CLARENCE LUCAS

15. The World’s Wanderers

EDWARD B. MANNING

16. Break, Break, Break

CALIXA LAVALLÉE

17. L’Absence

H.H. GODFREY

18. When Johnny Canuck comes home

BARBARA PENTLAND

19. Ruins

CALIXA LAVALLÉE

20. Andalouse