Four songs is a collection of short songs which, being a firm favourite with singers, are amongst the most widely performed of John Bartlett's songs.

Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream is comfortably suited to either male or female voice. Compass is D3 to E4. It is a beautifully lyrical setting of I know a bank where the wild thyme blows.

The shortest of the songs is I Could Not Keep Love Down, a setting from words from a translation of The Thousand Nights and One Night. It is suitable for soprano and just within the tenor voice range. Compass is C3 to G4. I could not keep love down. He rose and pinned my sleepy eyes awake are evocative words set to a dreamy harmony and melody line.

The remaining two songs are settings from Walter De La Mare's poetry. The Vacant Day and Unregarding are suited for either male or female voice (mezzo or soprano). Compass is C3 to C4. The Vacant Day  (compass C3 to E4)  is also suited to a school unison choir.