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.

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Candle Lightin' Time

Paul Lawrence Dunbar and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a Black composer. Paul Lawrence Dunbar was a Black poet and lyricist.
Alimony go 'way

C.E. Howell and R.E. Long
Dat's Harmony

Bert Williams and Grant Clarke

Spencer Williams was a Black songwriter. Bert Williams was a Bahamian-American actor.
De sun is A-Sinkin': A Lullaby

Jean Bohannan
Lovie Joe

Joe Jordan and Will Marion Cook

Will Marion Cook was a Black composer. Joe Jordan was a Black pianist and composer.
Cotton States Rag

Annie Ford McKnight
Dat Possum Rag

Phil Schwartz and Harold Richard Atteridge
Way Down East

Joseph Young and Harold Norman
Come After Breakfast: Bring 'Long Your Lunch and Leave 'fore Supper Time

James Timothy Brymn and Chris Smith

James Timothy Brymn was a Black composer.
Big Lady Moon: Song from "Five Fairy Ballads"

Kathleen Easmon and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a Black composer.
Apple Jack: (Some Rag)

Charles L. Johnson
Moon-bird : intermezzo [and] two step

Johann C. Schmid
Detroit Wholesalers and Manufacturers: March and Two Step

Fred S. Stone

Fred Stone was a Black songwriter.
Any Old Place in Yankee Land is Good Enough for Me

Will Marion Cook and Chris Smith

Chris Smith was a Black songwriter. Will Marion Cook was a Black composer.
Black Feather: Two Step

Irene M. Giblin-O'Brien
Wildflower : intermezzo, two step and song

Ray E. Goetz and Maurice Shapiro
Dat friend of mine : [song]

Egbert Van Alstyne
Dancing Topsy: Barn Dance

Raymond White and Starmer
Down the Bayou: A Creole Serenade

Reginald De Koven
Bon Bon Buddy: The Chocolate Drop

Alexander C. Rogers and Will Marion Cook

Will Marion Cook was a Black composer. Alexander C. Rogers was a Black lyricist and entertainer.
He said he was a friend of mine

Vincent Bryan and Chas. Robinson
Dis aint no time for an argument

J. Rosamond Johnson and James W. Johnson
When the Heart is Sad

Cecil Mack and Tom Lemonier

Tom Lemonier was a Black songwriter. Cecil Mack was a Black songwriter.
The Will Rossiter Dance Music Folio. Number 1

Will Rossiter

Contains the following songs: "If the Man in the Moon Were a Coon," "Brown of Harvard Waltz," "Clover Blossoms Waltz," "I'll Be Back in a Minutebut I Got to Go Now," "Napanee," "Moonlight Kisses," "Osceola," and "Farewell, My Annabelle."