Harriet P. Sawyer

Harriet Priscilla Sawyer Achorn (11 November 1862 – 20 May 1934) was an American composer who wrote mostly songs and some educational pieces for children. She was also known as Hattie, and published most of her music under the name Harriet P. Sawyer.

Life and career Sawyer was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Harriet Adams Hayes and Melville Sawyer. Little is known about her education, although her obituary stated that she "received her musical education in various European cities." In 1897, George Whitefield Chadwick dedicated his song “The Rose Leans Over the Pool” to Sawyer. She married John Warren Achorn in 1907. In 1913, they were living in Boston. She died in Pinebluff, North Carolina on 20 May 1934.

Sawyer's music was published by Arthur P. Schmidt and G. Schirmer Inc.

List and compositions Chamber

Five Pieces for Violin and Piano

Little Soldier Tunes

Vocal

“Across the Dreary Sea”

“Barcarole” (text by Adolf Licht; included in Vier Lieder'' collection)

“Christmas Bells” (text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)