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is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Detroit Wholesalers and Manufacturers: March and Two Step
Fred S. Stone
Fred Stone was a Black songwriter.
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Dinah is the Girl for Me
W. Raphaelson
Presented to Henry Wood, Esq. Adapted to Wallace's beautiful melody "Music Murmurings" by W. Raphaelson.
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Dixie's Land
Daniel Decatur Emmett and W. L. Hobbs
Daniel Decatur Emmett was the founded of the Virginia Minstrels, one of the first troupe to perform blackface minstrel shows.
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Doan Give Me No Golden Harp
Charles Gilbert and E. W. Dustin
Dedicated to the manufacturer of Star Tobacco. Arranged for voice and piano.
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Down in Jungle Town
Edward Madden and Theodore Morse
"A Monkey Ditty." Arranged for voice and piano.
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Down Where the Cocoanut Grows
Frederick V. Bowers and Charles Horwitz
A piece composed by the songwriting duo Horwitz and Bowers for voice and piano in the key G major. Featured in the 1902 musical "Sally in Our Alley."
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Down Where the Tennessee Flows
Bert L. Rule and Ray Sherwood
A piece composed by Bert L. Rule, who was known for vaudeville performances and songs composed during the Tin Pan Alley era. As sung by Al. Jolson in the big Winter Garden success "The Honeymoon Express."
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Driven from Home
William Shakespeare Hays
"To Miss Nannie Rogers, Louisville, Ky." Arranged for piano and guitar.
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Dusky Dinah
Dan J. Sullivan
An original cake-walk and patrol by Dan J. Sullivan, composer of "The Tournament" march.
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Dusty Rag
May Frances Aufderheide Kaufman
A piece composed by May Frances Aufderheide Kaufman, a popular female ragtime composer from Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Eli Green's Cake Walk
Sadie G. Koninsky and Charles E. Pratt
The first cakewalk published by a woman, Sadie G. Koninsky, who also published under the male pseudonym Jerome Hartman.
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Ella Leene
Frederick Buckley
To Richard Carrol. Sung by Buckley's Serenaders. Words by Quiet Willie. Music composed by Frederick Buckley, music director of Buckley's Operatic Troupe.
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Emma Dale
W. N. Chambers and J. P. Temple
Sung by the Sable Melodists. Arranged for the piano. Words by W. N. Chambers. Music by J. P. Temple.
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Ethiopian Quadrilles, A
A. Nagerj Onyqjva
Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Goin Ober De Mountin"; "Jonny Boker"; "De Old Jaw Bone"; "Jumbo Jum"; "Jim Along Josey"
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Ethiopian Quadrilles, B
A. Nagerj Onyqjva
Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Lucy Long"; "De Boatman Dance"; "Massa Is A Stingy Man"; "Old Dan Tucker"; "Ginger Blue"
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Ethiopian Quadrilles, Sett 3
A. Nagerj Onyqjva
Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Whar Did You Cum From"; "Jenny Get Your Hoe Cake Done"; "Charleston Gals"; "Dandy Jim From Carolina"; "Ole Tare River"
