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is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Where 'You Goin'?
Lew Brown and Albert Von Tilzer
The piano and vocal score for "Where You Goin?" with music by Albert Von Tilzer and lyrics by Lew Brown.
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Who Knows?
Paul Laurence Dunbar and Ernest R. Ball
The piano and vocal score for "Who Knows?" based on a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Music setting by Ernest R. Ball.
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Wildflower
E. Ray Goetz and Lou A. Hirsch
The score for "Wildflower" by E. Ray Goetz and Lou A. Hirsch.
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Williams and Walker's Album of Gems
Bert Williams and George Walker
A selection of scores from Williams and Walker from the original musical farce comedy "The Policy Players." Bert Williams and George Walker were Black American musicians.
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Wonderful Pal
Maceo Pinkard and William Tracey
The piano and vocal score for "Wonderful Pal" with lyrics by William Tracey and music by Maceo Pinkard, a Black songwriter.
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You Can't Mend a Broken Heart
Shelton Brooks
Words and music by Shelton Brooks, a Black songwriter. Front cover has a portrait of Mae Curtis on it.
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You Don't Cut no Ice with Me no More
George R. Wilson and Theodore H. Northrup
The score for "You Don't Cut no Ice with Me no More" arranged by Theodore H. Northrup and composed by George R. Wilson
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You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson
Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, a Black writer, and music by John Rosamond Johnson, a Black composer.
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You'll Be a Lonesome Nigger when Your Baby's Gone
W. R. Williams and Lewis Reiterman
The score for "You'll be a Lonesome Nigger when Your Baby's Gone" with words and music by W.R. Williams and arranged by Lewis Reiterman
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Young Folks at Home
J. C. Viereck
The piano score for "Young Folks at Home" by J.C. Viereck. Dedicated to Miss Emily Brown.
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You're Calling Me, Georgia
Bernie Grossman, Eddie Nelson, and J. Eubie Blake
Words by Bernie Grossman and Eddie Nelson, with music by J. Eubie Blake, a Black composer.
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You're Lucky To Me
Andy Razaf, Eubie Blake, and A. J. Franchini
The piano and ukelele score for "You're Lucky to Me" with music by Eubie Blake, a Black pianist and composer, and lyrics by Andy Razaf. The ukelele portion was arranged by A.J. Franchini. This song was part of "Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930."
