Each and All — after Ralph Waldo Emerson episode artwork

EPISODE · May 10, 2026 · 8 MIN

Each and All — after Ralph Waldo Emerson

from Musical Poetry · host Michael Appelt

In this episode of Musical Poetry, we begin a new series on harmony, inspired in part by the documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, which explores King Charles III’s lifelong concern for nature, sustainability, and the idea that humanity is part of nature, not apart from it. That idea led us to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Each and All.” At its heart are the unforgettable lines:“All are needed by each one;Nothing is fair or good alone.”Emerson, who lived from 1803 to 1882, reminds us that beauty does not exist in isolation. A bird needs the river and the sky. A shell needs the shore and the sea. And perhaps we, too, need one another more deeply than we usually admit.For this episode, “Each and All” has been transformed into a contemporary Irish folk song, carrying Emerson’s message into a new musical form.A reflection on beauty, belonging, nature, community, and the quiet truth that harmony begins when we understand that nothing is fair or good alone.

In this episode of Musical Poetry, we begin a new series on harmony, inspired in part by the documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, which explores King Charles III’s lifelong concern for nature, sustainability, and the idea that humanity is part of nature, not apart from it. That idea led us to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Each and All.” At its heart are the unforgettable lines:“All are needed by each one;Nothing is fair or good alone.”Emerson, who lived from 1803 to 1882, reminds us that beauty does not exist in isolation. A bird needs the river and the sky. A shell needs the shore and the sea. And perhaps we, too, need one another more deeply than we usually admit.For this episode, “Each and All” has been transformed into a contemporary Irish folk song, carrying Emerson’s message into a new musical form.A reflection on beauty, belonging, nature, community, and the quiet truth that harmony begins when we understand that nothing is fair or good alone.

NOW PLAYING

Each and All — after Ralph Waldo Emerson

0:00 8:20

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Musical Poetry?

This episode is 8 minutes long.

When was this Musical Poetry episode published?

This episode was published on May 10, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this episode of Musical Poetry, we begin a new series on harmony, inspired in part by the documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, which explores King Charles III’s lifelong concern for nature, sustainability, and the idea that humanity is...

Can I download this Musical Poetry episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!