Lincoln Sheet Music

This database comprises sheet music from the McLellan Lincoln Collection at the Hay Library written between 1859 and 1923. Music about Lincoln ranges from popular song to compositions for orchestral performance. Popular music about Abraham Lincoln proliferated between 1859 and 1865, and Lincoln songs are an important source for understanding attitudes of the day towards the Illinois candidate, later the 16th President, and his policy agenda. Lincoln appeared in a wide variety of music, including campaign pieces, patriotic war and memorial numbers, emancipation songs, and minstrel music. Music written about Lincoln since 1865 has tended to emphasize the epic character of Lincoln’s presidency during the national crisis of a civil war, American folk mythology surrounding Lincoln, and the use of Lincoln’s image in contemporary popular culture. Some pieces set Lincoln’s own writings to music, while others memorialize the events of his life or offer a reinterpretation for recent times.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

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Items in this collection

President's hymn: give thanks, all ye people

words by Dr. Muhlenberg ; music by A.C. Gutterson. For voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB) and piano. Caption title. A metrical version of Lincoln's first Thanksgiving proclamation.

President Lincoln's grand march

"Respectfully dedicated to the Union Army b F.B. Helmsmuller"--Cover Color illustration: portrait of Abraham Lincoln, set between female figures of war and peace / lith. of Thomas & Eno

Our national union march

"Most respectfully inscribed to Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States by the composer, Charles Rehm"--Cover Lithograph cover by Shearman & Hart featuring portrait of Lincoln in oval frame draped with American flag with figures of War and Peace on each side and view of capitol beneath For piano

Our generals: waltz

Our generals: waltz

Brown University

Arranged for the piano by a soldier. For piano. Caption title. "Respectfully dedicated to the Confederate Generals"--Cover. Cover illustration: portraits of Longstreet, Johnston, Hill, Hardee, Bragg, Jackson, Price, and Beauregard.

Our flag shall wave there!: patriotic song

"Respectfully dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States"--At head of title Sung with great applause by W.W. Batchelor ; written & composed by Robert Hervey

Our country's flag: song

composed & dedicated to his excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by G. Gumpert ; [arranged for the piano by F. Losseé] For voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (TTBB) and piano. English words, with German translation. Verses 3-6 of the English text are printed as text at the bottom of p. 5. Illustration: scene of a young soldier in a military camp holding up an American flag / J. Queen, del. & lith. ; P.S. Duval & Son lith.

Our country's flag: song

composed & dedicated to his excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by G. Gumpert ; [arranged for the piano by F. Losseé] For voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (TTBB) and piano. English words, with German translation. Verses 3-6 of the English text are printed as text at the bottom of p. 5. Illustration: scene of a young soldier in a military camp holding up an American flag / J. Queen, del. & lith. ; P.S. Duval & Son lith.

Old Honest Abe for me: song and chorus

arranged for the piano forte by C.D.S. Cover title. "To the Young Men's Republican Club of Rockland, Me., and Republicans Everywhere"--Cover. Pl. no.: 4949.

Old Abe, the battle eagle: song & chorus

poetry by L.J. Bates ; music by T. Martin Towne. For voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB) and piano. English words; verses 1-2 printed beneath the vocal line and verses 3-5 printed as text following the music. "Inscribed to the 8th Wisconsin Regt."--At head of title. Color illustration: a portrait of Old Abe, the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Regt. / L. kurz ; Lith. Chas. Shober.

Old Abe they said was an honest man: song

For voice and piano "Words composed & sung with great applause by J.W. Jarboe Esq. at the Great McClellan Union Meeting, Union Square; music by F. Lafayette"--Cover Words to verses 2-7 printed as text on p. 5

Oh! Speak to me once more!

written by W. Dexter Smith Jr. ; music by Henri Cromwell. For low voice and piano. "The exclamation of Mrs. Lincoln, as she bent over her dying husband"--P. [3]) Cover title.

O land of mine: patriotic song

words and music by Chas. L.H. Wagner. For medium voice and piano. Caption title. Imprint covered by label: Boston, Mass. : Paramount Music Co. Verse 3 printed as text.

Nomination song

Nomination song

Brown University

music by James Edward Haynes ; words by Charles Haynes. Caption title. Song for piano. Verses 2-3 printed as text (p. 5)

Mount, boys, mount

Mount, boys, mount

Brown University

written & composed by Charles T. Hammond. Cover title. At head of title: To Col. N.B. Lord. For voice and piano.