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is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Happy Days in Georgia
Charles H. Kuebler
The score for "Happy Days in Georgia," published for two mandolins and guitar, banjo solo, band, and orchestra, by Charles H. Kuebler.
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Happy Haidee
Thomas Coates and Marshall S. Pike
The score for "Happy Haidee" with music and lyrics by Marshall S. Pike and arranged by Thomas Coates. Dedicated to Mrs. John B. Donniker of New York. Originally sung by J. Murphy of Christy's Minstrels.
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Happy Hours in Coontown
Charles B. Brown
The score for "Happy Hours in Coontown," by Charles B. Brown. Dedicated to Mr. Monroe H. Rosenfeld.
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Happy Hunting Grounds
Henry S. Sawyer
The score for "Happy Hunting Grounds" by Henry S. Sawyer. Labelled as an "Indian march and two-step."
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Hard Luck Coon
Sam Williams and I. Thomas
The piano and vocal score for "Hard Luck Coon" with music and lyrics by Sam Williams and I. Thomas.
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Hark I Hear an Angel Sing, A
R. G. Shrival and W. C. B.
The score for "Hark I Hear an Angel Sing" with music by R.G. Shrival and lyrics by W.C.B. The ballad was sung by Mr. John Farrenberg of West. Peels & Campbell Minstrels. Dedicated to Mrs. James Gardner Jr. of Augusta, Georgia.
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Hark I Hear an Angel Sing, B
R. G. Shrival and W. C. B.
The score for "Hark I Hear an Angel Sing" with music by R.G. Shrival and lyrics by W.C.B. The ballad was sung by Mr. John Farrenberg of West. Peels & Campbell Minstrels. Dedicated to Mrs. James Gardner Jr. of Augusta, Georgia.
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He's a Cousin of Mine
Cecil Mack, Christopher M. Smith, and Silvio Hein
The score for "He's a Cousin of Mine," featured in Daniel V. Arthur's production of "Marrying Mary." Lyrics are by Cecil Mack (R.C. McPherson), a Black entertainer. Christopher M. Smith, a Black composer and popular vaudeville performer, and Silvio Hein wrote the music.
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He Said He was a Friend of Mine
Vincent Bryan and Charles Robinson
The score for "He Said He was a Friend of Mine" with lyrics by Vincent Bryan and music by Charles Robinson.
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Hither We Come
Max Zorer
The score for "Hither We Come" as sung at Christy's Opera Comique. Arranged from Balfes Opera "The Enchantress." Music and lyrics are by Max Zorer.
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Hobomoko
Ernest Reeves and Adolf Lotter
The score for "Hobomoko" by Ernest Reeves and arranged by Adolf Lotter.
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Home Again, A
John Pond Ordway and Marshall S. Pike
The score for "Home Again" with words and music by Marshall S. Pike and arranged by John Pond Ordway. Sung by the Harmoneons. Dedicated to Lizzie C. Oakes of Charleston, South Carolina.
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Home Again, B
John Pond Ordway and Marshall S. Pike
The score for "Home Again" with words and music by Marshall S. Pike and arranged by John Pond Ordway. Sung by the Harmoneons. Dedicated to Lizzie C. Oakes of Charleston, South Carolina.
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Home Delights
John Pond Ordway
As performed by Ordway's Aeolians of Boston as well as Wood's Minstrels and George Christy & Wood's Minstrels. Music and lyrics by John P. Ordway.
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Honey Rose
William Tracey, Harry Tobias, and Maceo Pinkard
The vocal and piano score for "Honey Rose" with lyrics by William Tracey and Harry Tobias, and music by Maceo Pinkard, a Black songwriter.
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Honky Tonky
Charles Russell McCarron and Christopher M. Smith
The score for "Honky Tonky" with music by Charles McCarron and Christopher M. Smith, Black composer and popular vaudeville performer.
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Hours I Have Watched Thee
Edward Harry Kelly
The piano score and lyrics for "Hours I Have Watched Thee" composed by Edward Kelly.
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How Long the Hours Seem, Love!
Henry Wood and P. B. Isaacs
The piano score and lyrics for "How Long the Hours Seem, Love," with music by P.B. Isaacs and lyrics by Henry Wood. Sung by Mr. C. Henry of Wood's Minstrels.
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I am Dreaming Sadly Dreaming
Frederick Buckley and G. W. Birdseye
The piano score for "I am Dreaming Sadly Dreaming" with music by Frederick Buckley and lyrics by G.W. Birdseye.
