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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Ida May

Henry S. Thompson

The piano score and lyrics to "Ida May" by Henry S. Thompson. The sheet notes it is the companion to Thompson's "Lilly Dale."
I'd Leave Ma Happy Home for You

Harry Von Tilzer

The piano score for "I'd Leave Ma Happy Home for You" composed by Harry von Tilzer.
I'd Like to Hear that Song Again

William H. Penn, Gene Jefferson, and Bob Irving

The piano score and lyrics for "I'd Like to Hear that Song Again," by Bob Irving. Lyrics by Gene Jefferson and arranged by William H. Penn.
I Don't Love Nobody

Theodore F. Morse and Lew Sully

The piano score for "I Don't Love Nobody" composed by Lew Sully and arranged by Theodore F. Morse.
I Don't Love You no More

Joan Martin

The score for "I Don't Love You no More" with words and music by John Martin.
I Don't Want to Work no More

Albert V. Thompson

The score for "I Don't Want to Work no More" with words and music by Albert V. Thompson.
If Anybody Wants to Meet a Jonah, Shake Hands with Me

Harry Hoyt

The piano score and lyrics for "If Anyone Wants to Meet a Jonah, Shake Hands with Me" with music and lyrics by Harry Hoyt.
I Feel like Sendin' Home for Money

Irving Jones and James Scott

The score for "I Feel like Sendin' Home for Money" with words by Irving Jones and music by James Scott.
If I were a Bee and You were a Red Red Rose

Shelton Brooks

The vocal and piano score for "If I were a Bee and You were a Red Red Rose," with music and lyrics by Shelton Brooks, a Black songwriter.
I Forget the Gay World

Louis V.H. Crosby and Marshall S. Pike

The piano and vocal score for "I Forget the Gay World" with music by Louis V.H. Crosby and lyrics by Marshall S. Pike. From Melodies of the Harmoneons.
If You Can't Be a Bell-Cow, Fall in Behind

A. L. Robb and J. Fred Helf

The piano score and lyrics for "If You Can''t Be a Bell-Cow, Fall in Behind," with music and lyrics by A.L. Robb and J. Fred Helf.
If You Don't Want Me Send Me to My Ma

Christopher M. Smith and Cecil Mack

The vocal and piano score for "If You Don't Want Me Send Me to My Ma," with music and lyrics by Cecil Mack, a Black songwriter, and Chris Smith, a Black songwriter.
I'll Dance My Way Right Back To Dixieland

Grant Clarke and William James Baskette

The piano score and lyrics for "I'll Dance My Way Right Back to Dixieland" with music by Billy Baskette and lyrics by Grant Clarke.
I'll Keep a Warm Spot in My Heart for You

John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson

The piano score and lyrics for "I'll Keep a Warm Spot in My Heart for You." Sung by Miss Aida Overton Walker of the Williams and Walker Co. in Melville Raymond''s production "Abyssinia." Music is by John Rosamond Johnson and lyrics by James Weldon Johnson. The Johnson Brothers were Black American civil rights activists and artists born in Jacksonville, Florida.
I'll Sing You a Song (About Dear Old Dixie Land)

Henry Sterling Creamer and Turner Layton

The piano score and lyrics for "I'll Sing You a Song" by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton, a Black American musical duo.
I Long for the Scenes of Yesterday

Leroy Robert "Lasses" White

The piano score and lyrics for "I Long for the Scenes of Yesterday," with music and lyrics by Leroy Robert "Lasses" White.
I Love Sweet Angeline

Henry Sterling Creamer and Turner Layton

The piano score and lyrics for "I Love Sweet Angeline," featured in the musical revue, "Strut Miss Lizzie." Henry Sterlin Creamer and Turner Layton who composed the piece were a Black American musical duo.
I'm a Jonah Man

Alexander Claude Rogers

The piano score and lyrics for "I'm a Jonah Man" by Alex Rogers. The song was performed by Bert Williams, a Black American entertainer, and George Walker.
I'm A-longin' Fo' You

Jane Hathaway and Karl Fuhrmann

Song with violin or cello obligato. Words by Karl Fuhrmann and music by Jane Hathaway, which was a pseudonym for composer John Stepan Zamecnik.
I May Be Crazy, but I Ain't No Fool

Alexander Claude Rogers

The piano score and lyrics for "I May Be Crazy, but I A'int No Fool," composed by Alex Rogers. Sung by Bert Williams of Williams and Walker.
I'm Goin' South

Abner Silver, Harry M. Woods, and Louis Katzman

The full piano score for "I'm Goin' South" composed by Abner Silver and Harry Woods, arranged by Louis Katzman.
I'm Missin' Mammy's Kissin' (And I Know She's Missin' Mine)

Lew Pollack and Sidney Clare

The piano score and lyrics for "I'm Missing Mammy's Kissin'" with music by Lew Pollack and lyrics by Sidney Clare.
I'm Sorry the Day I Laid My Eyes on You

Shelton Brooks

The vocal and piano score for "I'm Sorry the Day I Laid My Eyes on You," by Shelton Brooks, a Black songwriter.
I'm Waiting for You Liza Jane

Henry Sterling Creamer and Turner Layton

The piano score and lyrics for "I'm Waiting for You Liza Jane" by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton, a Black American musical duo.