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:
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Mammy's Little Sunny Honey Boy
Jack Caddigan and Chick Story
Full score. "That Delightful Croony Lullaby." The name Chester E. Frost is stamped on the front.
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Strut, Miss Lizzie
Henry Sterling Creamer and Turner Layton
By Creamer and Layton. Henry Creamer was an African American lyricist, and Turner Layton was an African American singer and songwriter.
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Carolina Lullaby
Louis J. Panella and Walter Hirsch
Words and music by Louis Panella and Walter Hirsch, writer of "Carolina Sunshine." Composed for voice and piano.
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Weep No More
Lew Pollack, Sidney Clare, and Sidney D. Mitchell
Lyric by Sidney Clare and Sidney D. Mitchell. Music by Lew Pollack.
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Love Will Find a Way and Gypsy Blues
Sissle and Blake
A full score for the songs "Love Will Find a Way" and "Gypsy Blues."
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Love Will Find a Way
Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake
The name Clara L. Cooney is stamped on the front cover.
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Old Handkerchief Head
Chris Smith and J. Timothy Brymn
Chris Smith was a Black songwriter. James Timothy Brymn was a Black band leader.
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Read 'Em and Weep, A
Albert Bernard and Walter Haenschen
Words by Albert Bernard. Music by Walter Haenschen.
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Read 'Em and Weep, B
Albert Bernard and Walter Haenschen
Note: This copy is missing pages. Words by Albert Bernard. Music by Walter Haenschen.
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The Moon Shines on the Moonshine
Robert Hood Bowers and Francis De Witt
Lyric by Francis De Witt. Music by Robert Hood Bowers.
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At the End of the Sunset Trail
Maceo Pinkard and Calvin De Voll
Maceo Pinkard was a Black songwriter.
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I Want to Know Where Tosti Went (When He Said Good-Bye)
Christopher M. Smith
Successfully Introduced by Bert Williams in George Le Maire's "Broadway Brevities" at the New York Winter Garden. The name Mrs. Herbert E. White is written in the top margins on the cover.
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I'll Dance My Way Right Back To Dixieland (1919)
Grant Clarke and William James Baskette
Composed for voice and piano.
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I'll Sing You A Song (About Dear Old Dixie Land)
Henry Sterling Creamer and Turner Layton
Henry Creamer and Turner Layton were a Black American musical duo.
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Three Negro Spirituals
James R. Gillette
Three Black spirituals - "Deep River," "The Angels Done Changed My Name," and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen".