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

The nigger and the bee:: song and dance

words and music by Charles H. Sheffer Schottische for voice and piano Caption title Cover illustration: engraving of Afro-American couple and a bee

The new Mary Blane

The new Mary Blane

Brown University

written by W. Guernsey; music by George Barker For solo voice, 4-part chorus, and piano Caption title Dates when publisher was at 115 Washington St. found in: Early American sheet music / Harry Dichter and Elliott Shapiro Words and music adapted from the earlier Afro-American song, "Mary Blane"

The lilly of the valley

The lilly of the valley

Brown University

arranged and sung by E.P. Christy. For voice, 4-part chorus (air, TTB), and piano. Caption title. Verse 2 printed on p. 5.

The hole in the garden wall

words by H.J. St. Leger; music by T. Browne For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Caption title Cover illustration: drawing of Afro-American man and woman embracing through a hole in a wall Library's copy has raised stamp on cover: E.N. Merriam, Tuner & Music Dealer, & manufacturer of patent harmonic copulas for melodeons &c., Rutland, Vt.

The Gibson coon

The Gibson coon

Brown University

piano arr. by Chas. J. Gebest; words & music by Geo. M. Cohan For voice and piano Caption title [Sung by]: Cohan & Harris Minstrels; George Evans and 100 Honey Boys Advertisements for other songs: p. [2 and 6-8] Cover illustration: portrait drawing of Cohan and Harris; drawing of minstrel performer

The Confederate Brigadiers:: song and chorus

words by Robert J. Burdette; music by Chas. F. Dennee March for voice and piano Advertisement for "Clarke's Improved piano-forte method": p. [8] Also published as instrumental march BAL 1960

The colored grenadier

The colored grenadier

Brown University

arranged by Ned Straight; words and music by Johnny Carroll. For voice and piano Caption title Sung by: Johnny Carroll Dedicated to: Frank Dumont Advertisement for other songs: p. [6] Cover illustration: lithograph of Afro-American soldier.

The "St. Louis blues"

The "St. Louis blues"

Brown University

W.C. Handy For voice and piano Caption title "The first successful 'blues' published"--Cover "As played by Handy's orchestra" Advertisements for another song: p. [6] Melody of chorus from "The Jogo blues"

Tapioca

Tapioca

Brown University

Edward Warden For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Caption title Sung by: R. Bishop Buckley, of Buckleys Serenaders Cover illustration: floral design; lithographed portraits of R. Bishop Buckley[?] "J.H. Bufford's lith. Boston"--Cover

Sweet Lilla Brown:: Ethiopian ballad

words by C.C. Sedgwick; music composed ... by Charlie C. Converse For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Cover title Dedicated to: E.P. Christy of the celebrated Christy's Minstrels Additional verses: p. 5

Susie-ue

Susie-ue

Brown University

arranged by Max Spencer; written and composed by B. Gilbert For voice and piano Cover title At head of title: A high class darkey ballad "As sung by the famous Angela Sisters" "Rag chorus"--P. 5 Library's copy has retailer's stamp on cover: Winter & Harper, Music dealers, Burke Building, Seattle, Wash.

Sucking cider thro' a straw:: a vocal absurdity

written and composed by W. Freear For voice and piano Caption title Instructions to the singer on presenting the song: p. 3 Advertisement for other songs: p. [4] Cover illustration: lithograph of Black man (or white man in blackface) singing; Black man and woman sharing cider, being married by minister, etc.

Stop that knocking at the door

as sung and arranged by the Christy Minstrels ; words and music by A.F. Winnemore. For 2 voices (1st voice, bass), chorus (1st voice, 2nd voice, tenor, bass) and piano. Caption title. Additional verses: p. 7. Also published for: guitar.

Stop that knocking at the door

as sung and arranged by the Christy Minstrels ; words and music by A.F. Winnemore. For 2 voices (1st voice, bass), chorus (1st voice, 2nd voice, tenor, bass) and piano. Caption title. Additional verses: p. 7.

Stop dat knocking at the door

words and music by A.F. Winnemore. For 2 voices (1st voice, bass), chorus (1st voice, 2nd voice, tenor, bass) and piano. Caption title. Advertisement for merchandise: p. [6]

Stop dat knocking

Stop dat knocking

Brown University

rewritten & arranged by William Clifton. For voice, piano, and chorus (SATB) Caption title. Attributed to A.F. Winnemore in: Series of old American songs / Brown University Library, no. 34. Pages 3-7 are also numbered 40-44. Additional verses: p. 5. Cover illustration: engraved design showing minstrels.

Stop dat car!:: song & refrain

words by Thomas Addison; music by J.W. Wheeler For voice and piano Caption title Cover illustration: lithograph of Afro-American man; lithographed portraits of Carroll Johnson "S.C. Carbee, lith. 595 Washington St., Boston"--Cover

Step aside you niggers

Step aside you niggers

Brown University

words by Al. Nicholson; music by S.B. Miles; arranged by C.L. Maurer For voice and piano Caption title Advertisement for another song: p. [6]

Stay in your own back yard:: pickaninny ballad

lyric by Karl Kennett; music by Lyn Udall For voice and piano Cover title Advertisements for other songs: p. [2 and 6-8] Also published for: male and female quartet and mixed voices. "Price 40 cents Net" Library's copy has stamp on p. [1-6]: Alex Kramer

St. Louis blues

St. Louis blues

Brown University

words and music by W.C. Handy For voice and piano, with chords for ukulele in D Caption title Featured by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees Advertisements for other songs: p. 3-5, [6] Cover illustration: drawing of leaves / Barbelle; photograph of Rudy Vallee

St. Clare to little Eva in heaven

words & music by Geo. C. Howard For voice and piano Cover title Dedicated to: Cordelia Howard Text refers to the character of Eva in "Uncle Tom's cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe Additional verses: p. 5

St. Clare to little Eva in heaven

words & music by Geo. C. Howard For voice and piano Cover title Dedicated to: Cordelia Howard Text refers to the character of Eva in "Uncle Tom's cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe Additional verses: p. 5

South Fifth Avenue

South Fifth Avenue

Brown University

words by Edward Harrigan; music by Dave Braham Waltz for voice and piano Cover title At head of title: As sung in Edward Harrigan's comic play, "Mulligan's silver wedding" Advertisement for other songs: p. [6]

Sing a good old ragtime song

words by Jack Drislane; music by Henry Frantzen For voice and piano Caption title Advertisements for other music: p. [2], 3-5, [6] Cover illustration: drawing of Black man and woman smiling at each other; photograph of Lillian Burt