Representations of Blackness in Music of the United States (1830s-1920s)

<p>This collection is a grouping of over 1,400 items dating from the 1830s to the 1920s. The contents of the collection depict representations of Black diasporic people and cultures through close to a century of illustrations and musical and lyrical compositions found in sheet music publications. The collection depicts representations of Blackness during an era dominated by the sheet music publishing industry and prior to the recording industry’s eventual domination over the commercial market which began in the 1920s.</p> <p>While white-dominant representations of Blackness span the majority of years of this collection, representations of Black diasporic peoples by Black performers and composers date to as early as the 1870s with the formation of the first African American Blackface performers and minstrel troupes, and become increasingly visible by the 1890s during the beginnings of African American musical theater. The collection ends with works that point to the age of jazz, commercial blues, and African American musical theater of the 1920s. However, popular musical representations of Blackness continued to proliferate well beyond the dates spanning this collection, up to and including our popular music and media of today.</p> <p>For additional information, context, and historical essays about the music in this collection please see the website created by the Brown University Library's Center for Digital Scholarship: <a href="https://library.brown.edu/cds/sheetmusic/afam/">African American Sheet Music</a></p> <p>For questions about this collection, or other materials in the John Hay Library, contact hay@brown.edu.</p>
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Items in this collection

Zip Coon: comic song

Zip Coon: comic song

Brown University

as sung at the American theatre New Orleans ; arranged for the piano forte. For voice and piano. Caption title. "Also known as Turkey in the Straw"--Early Amer. sheet music / Dichter, p. 53. "1834-1836, Cole, John & Son, 137 Baltimore St. [Baltimore]"--Early Amer. sheet music / Dichter, p. 182. Verses 2-9 printed on p. [3]

You'se just a little nigger, still you'se mine, all mine:: lullaby

words and music by Paul Dresser For voice and piano. Caption title Sung by: Kitty Mitchell Advertisements for other songs: p. [2-6] Cover illustration: drawing of flowers; photograph of Kitty Mitchell Library's copy has stamp on cover: Hitchcock, New York Library's copy inscribed: Barrett.

You need'nt make dem goo-goo eyes

words and music by Thos D. Buick For voice and piano Caption title Advertisement for other music: p. [6] Cover illustration: drawing of Afro-American woman with umbrella and Afro-American man; photograph of unidentified woman

You can search me

You can search me

Brown University

words & music by Elliott & Gorton For voice and piano Cover title Composer's name appears as Elliot in caption Sung by: Jake Welby of Gorton's Minstrels Cover illustration: drawing of Afro-American man, chicken, and silver dollar / K. Rising; photograph of Jake Welby

Why Adam sinned

Why Adam sinned

Brown University

words and music by Alex Rogers For voice and piano At head of title: A quaint idea set to music "Featured by Aida Overton Walker" Title page illustration: snake offering apple to statue of Eve on a pedestal; cameo photo. of Aida Overton Walker Advertisement for another song (with 1st p. of music) on p. [2]: Nobody / music by Bert A. Williams Advertisement for 7 songs from the musical Bandana Land (with incipits) on p. [6]: Fas' fas' world; Late hours; Just the same; Bon bon buddy; It's hard to love somebody; Bandana Land; Dinah

Who's that knocking at the door

as composed and sung by Wm. Whitlock. For voice and piano. Caption title. Additional verses: p. [5] Cover illustration: lithograph of Afro-American actors on stage, one playing banjo and the other dancing. "Lith. of E. Jones & G.W. Newman, 128 Fulton St."--Cover.

When the coons have a dreamland of their own

by Heelan and Helf For voice and piano Caption title Sung by: Marie Dressler, Tascott, Johnnie Carroll, and others Advertisement for other songs: p. [8] Cover illustration: drawing of flowers / Starmer Additional verses: p. [2]

We'll have no more coon rag-time songs to-night

words by Edward Craven; music by Chas. Connolly For voice and piano Caption title Sung by Edward Craven in Hoyt's "Contented woman co." Advertisement for a book: p. [6] Cover illustration: [photograph of Edward Craven?]; floral border design Also published for mandolin, guitar, banjo, orchestra, and band

We ought to be thankful for that:: a comic song

by Sam Lucas For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Cover title Advertisement for other songs: p. [2] Cover illustration: drawing of hand holding playing cards with figures, including one with Afro-American preacher

Walking for dat cake:: song and chorus

written by Ed. Harrigan; music by Dave Braham For voice and piano Caption title Pages 1-3 are unnumbered "Performed by Harrigan & Hart"--Cover Advertisement for other music: p. [6] Cover illustration: lithograph of Afro-Americans dancing

Walk along John: an admired Southern refrain

written and composed by J.P. Carter. For voice and piano. Caption title. Sung by: the Virginia Serenaders. Additional verses: p. [3] Cover illustration: lithographs of the Virginia Serenaders (J. Sanford, J.R. Myers, J.P. Carter, Master R. Edwards, C. White) "Bufford & Cos. Lithography Boston"--Cover.

Uncle Tom's grave

Uncle Tom's grave

Brown University

written by J.H. Jewell; composed by A. Whitcombe For voice and piano Cover title Cover illustration: lithograph of man kneeling at grave with two Afro-American men in background / J. Coventry "M. & N. Hanhart, Impr."

Uncle Tom's glimpse of glory

words by Eliza; music by Frank Howard For voice and piano Caption title Lyricist's name is probably Eliza Cook Text refers to characters in "Uncle Tom's cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe Dedicated to: Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe "For sale by Horace Waters, 333 Broadway, New York"--Cover. Library's copy inscribed with page numbers 107-112

Topsy's song

Topsy's song

Brown University

written by Charles Jefferys; co[m]posed by Stephen Glover For voice and piano Lithographed t.p.: Eva and Topsy seated and holding hands, with red and white roses; Corbaux del et lith.; Stannard & Dixon Imp. Advertisement for Jefferys edition of songs from "Uncle Tom's cabin," written and composed by Charles Jefferys and Stephen Glover: p. [8]

Topsy's in town

Topsy's in town

Brown University

words by Al. Trahern; music by Warner Crosby For voice and piano Cover title "The Sunday World music album, supplement to the New York World, Sunday, Dec. 17, 1899" Cover illustration: drawing of a woman / Franck Parker

Tildy Ann

Tildy Ann

Brown University

words and music by Billy Clark For voice and piano Caption title Sung by: Billy Clark with H.L. Henry's Minstrels Advertisements for other songs: p. 2-[6] Cover illustration: photograph of man in blackface with caption "Mind wandering"; drawing of alligator on banks of river

Things ain't the same, babe, I'm coming home

words by Will Tobias; music by Will Hamer For voice and piano Caption title Advertisements for other songs: p. [2-8] Cover illustration: drawing of Black man sitting in chair writing letter Library's copy has stamp advertising "American eagle march": p. [7]

The young folks at home

The young folks at home

Brown University

written by Frank Spencer; music by Miss Hattie Livingston For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Caption title "Written & composed expressly for Wood's Minstrels, Minstrel's Hall, 444 Broadway"--Cover Additional verses: p. 5

The young folks at home

The young folks at home

Brown University

written by Frank Spencer; music by Miss Hattie Livingston For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Caption title "Written & composed expressly for Wood's Minstrels, Minstrel's Hall, 444 Broadway"--Cover Additional verses: p. 5

The yellow dog blues:: "he's gone where the Southern cross' the yellow dog"

W.C. Handy For voice and piano Caption title Recorded by: the Joseph C. Smith Orchestra, featuring Harry Rederman Advertisement for "Sweet child" and other songs: p. [6] Cover illustration: drawing of yellow dogs singing; photographs of Joseph C. Smith and Harry Rederman [sic] Library's cop. 1 inscribed: dp

The wedding of the Chinee and the coon

words by Billy Johnson; music by Bob Cole (arr. by Theo. F. Morse) For voice and piano Caption title Advertisements for "Keep your eye on your friend Mister Johnson" and other songs: p. [2 and 6] Cover illustration: cartoon drawing of Afro-American man and Chinese woman getting married

The slave mother

The slave mother

Brown University

words & music by L.V.H. Crosby For voice and piano Caption title Additional verses: p. 5

The slave mother

The slave mother

Brown University

words & music by L.V.H. Crosby For voice and piano Caption title Additional verses: p. 5 Library's copy has stamp on cover: Small & Paige, Toronto

The Skids are out to-night

words by Edward Harrigan; music by Dave Braham For voice and piano Cover title At head of title: Songs from Edward Harrigan's comic play, "The Mulligan Guard nominee" Advertisement for other music: p. [6]

The Skids are on review

The Skids are on review

Brown University

words by Edward Harrigan; music by David Braham For voice and piano Cover title At head of title: Songs from Edward Harrigan's Comic Play, entitled: The Mulligan Guards' Christmas, No. 4 "Music by Dave Braham"--Caption Advertisement for other music: p. [6]

The Skidmore fancy ball:: song and march

written by Ed. Harrigan; music by Dave Braham For voice and piano Caption title "Words by Edward Harrigan"--Cover From musical: The Mulligan Guard ball Advertisement for other music: p. [6] Library's copy inscribed: May Belle Chipp

The old pine tree

The old pine tree

Brown University

written and composed by Charles White. For voice and piano. Caption title. Sung by: White's Serenaders. Additional verses: p. [5] Cover illustration: lithographed design with portraits of White's Serenaders, Charles White, and Master Marks. "Lith. of Sarony & Major, 117, Fulton St., N. York"--Cover.

The old cabin home:: for the piano

composed & arranged by T. Paine For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Cover title Dedicated to: W.H. Elder Additional verses: p. 5 Advertisement for music books: p. [2] Advertisement for other songs: p. [6]

The old banjo:: favorite Ethiopian melody

words by Bob Lively; music composed expressly for J.P. Ordway Esq. by I. Louis Brackett For voice, piano, and chorus (tenor, tenor, air, bass) Cover title "As sung by Ordway's Aeolians."