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

Kingdom coming

Kingdom coming

Brown University

words and music by Henry C. Work For voice and piano, with chorus refrain. Verses 2-4 printed without accompaniment on p. 5. Advertisements: Later publications on p. [2] and Circular list of circulating publications on p. [6]

Kingdom coming

Kingdom coming

Brown University

by Henry C. Work. For voice and piano, with chorus refrain. Verses 2-4 printed without accompaniment on p. 5. Advertisements: Later publications on p. [2] and Circular list of circulating publications on p. [6] Title page illustration: scenes from Work's songs. First line of text: Say, darkeys, hab you seen de massa. First line of chorus: De massa run? ha, ha.

Just before the battle, mother

by Geo. F. Root. For voice and piano, with chorus refrain. Advertisements: Root & Cady's vocal quartetts on p. [2] and new music published by Root & Cady on p. [6] Title page illustration: scenes based on five songs by George F. Root / Copcutt=Williams Sc.

Jonathan to John

Jonathan to John

Brown University

words by Hosea Bigelow ; music composed by F. Boott. Black and white lithograph of Uncle Sam and John Bull facing each other across boundary. Lithograph by L. Prang & Co. Verses 2-5 printed as text on p. [5]

Jeff's last proclamation

For voice and piano Eng'd. by H.F. Greene, Boston Words & music by Union Engraved picture of Jeff Davis hanging from a tree with sign in front: "Jeff's last proclamation" Words to verses 3-5 printed as text: p. 4

It's all up in Dixie: song and chorus

written and composed by Henry Tucker. Song; for voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB) and piano. Verses 4-5 printed as text at bottom of p. 4. Title set within an ornamental frame / Warren, Music Stereotyper. Advertisement for "A careful selection of songs and ballads ..." published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. on back cover dated 1864.

Inauguration grand march

"Dedicated to the President of the United States, Hon. Abrm. Lincoln"--Cover Portrait of Lincoln on cover; J.H. Bufford's Lith. Boston For piano

In memorium Lincoln

In memorium Lincoln

Brown University

The words written ... by Wm. P. Fox. Music by Francis Woolcott. Cover title. For solo voice and chorus (SATB) with piano acc.

I'm all bound 'round with the Mason Dixon Line

words by Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young ; music by Jean Schwartz. For voice and piano. Caption title. Cover illustration: Drawing of a woman in a skirt and hat sitting on a garden bench / Barbelle; inset photograph of Harry Fox.

I'm a wand'rin'!: old slave song

words and music by Samuel Richards Gaines. "As sung by the distinguished American tenor, Frederick Gunster"--Cover Includes picture of Frederick Gunster, "in his impersonation of the ante-bellum negro" For voice and piano.

How sleep the brave

How sleep the brave

Brown University

"To the memory of the illustrious patriot Abraham Lincoln"--At head of title Words by William Collins; music by Carlo Bardetti For voice and piano

He's gone to the arms of Abraham: comic war ballad

by Sep. Winner. Song; for voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB) and piano. Verses 6-7 printed as text on p. 5. "Dedicated to E.F. Dixey." Decorative t.p. / Geo. F. Swain. Engraver of music noted at bottom of p. 5 as "Porter."

He's gone to the arms of Abraham: comic war ballad

Song; for voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB)--and piano Caption title: The arms of Abraham. Verses 6-7 printed as text on p. 5. Decorative t.p. / Geo. F. Swain Engraver of music noted at bottom of p. 5 as "Porter." by Sep. Winner Dedicated to E.F. Dixey For voice and piano Cover title

Hard times in Dixie

Hard times in Dixie

Brown University

Song; for voice and piano; refrain set for chorus (SATB) and piano Verses 3-5 printed as text at bottom of p. 5. "'Respectfully' inscribed to Jeff Davis"--Cover Title set within ornamental frame

Greenbacks!: new song for the times

words and music by Dan D. Emmett. William A. Pond & Co. was at this address between 1863 and 1877. Cf. Handbook of early American sheet music 1768-1889 / Dichter & Shapiro. For voice and piano. Verses 2-5 printed as text on p. 5.