![Black American Sheet Music Collection](../assets/md5images/631533aad9ebc1056849446027776b8a.jpg)
Black American Sheet Music Collection
The Bank of America Black American Sheet Music Collection consists of approximately 4000 pieces of published sheet music reflecting the influences of African Americans on popular music in the United States. The music was created by, performed by, published by, or portrays Black and African American themes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. The collection highlights popular vocal music, jazz, big band, and swing music published in the United States. The earliest piece in the collection dates to 1818, and the latest editions date into the 1980s, thereby giving a chronicle of the evolution of Black-inspired music in America for almost 200 years. Some imagery and lyrics in this collection reflect harmful racist depictions of Black people and are included in the collections for their use in academic research.
Content Warning:
USF Libraries’ Digital Collections include historical and primary sources from many cultures and time periods. Some content may be harmful, graphic, difficult to view, or reflect biases. Digital Collections provides access to these materials to preserve the historical record, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors found within them. USF Libraries’ is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Mandy, won't you let me be your beau?
John Rosamond Johnson and Robert Allen Cole
Robert Allen Cole was a Black lyricist. John Rosamond Johnson was a Black composer.
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If You Can't Be A Bell-Cow, Fall In Behind
A. L. Robb and J. Fred Helf
Sung with great success by Harry Brown.
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Under the Bamboo Tree (Medley Two-Step)
George Rosey, James Wheldon Johnson, Robert Allen Cole, and John Rosamond Johnson
Medley Two Step arranged by George Rosey. Robert Allen Cole was a Black lyricist. Also contributing to the arrangement were James Weldon Johnson, a Black American writer and civil rights activist, and his brother John Rosamond Johnson, a Black American composer.
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My Old Kentucky Home, A
Hal. Coffel and Stephen Collins Foster
Mandolin Solo. Full Harmony. To F.M. Johnson, Pennville, Indiana. Originally by Stephen C. Foster.
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Mah Moonlight Lou
Herbert Dillea, C. J. Campbell, and Ralph M. Skinner
Dedicated to our esteemed friend Mr. Edgar Richards.
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The Maiden with the Dreamy Eyes
James Wheldon Johnson and Robert Allen Cole
Robert Allen Cole was a Black lyricist. Cole wrote the words alongside James Weldon Johnson, a Black American writer and civil rights activist.
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The Three Last Seats for Smokers
Archie Morrow and Wilford Herbert
Words by Archie Morrow. Music by Wilford Herbert.
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Mighty Lak' A Rose (High Voice)
Ethelbert Nevin and Frank L. Stanton
The name Florence Brown is written in the margin on the front page.
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Mighty Lak' A Rose (Low Voice)
Ethelbert Nevin and Frank L. Stanton
"Johnny's Piece" is written in the margins on the front page.