It uses famous American tunes to carry the story (including "Down in the Valley", "The Lonesome Dove", and "Hop Up, My Ladies") and connected by original choral music.

The radio idea eventually fell through for lack of a sponsor, although Maurice Abravanel conducted an audition recording that was never broadcast.

In 1960, the piece was played in German at the Staatstheater Hannover, directed by Hartmut Goebel and conducted by Walter Born, with Die sieben Todsünden.

In 1984, PBS Television broadcast the piece, directed by Frank Cvitanovich and conducted by Carl Davis.

In September 1995, it was presented in Kansas City at the Lyric Opera, directed by Francis Cullinan and conducted by Russell Patterson.