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The table of contents (and the songs themselves) are organized alphabetically by title, and includes who wrote the words, the music, who the publisher was, and the date and location of publication. I was interested to see how many hits Oliver Ditson & Co of Boston had -- the equivalent of our record "singles" today. They were the first publishers of "Jingle Bells," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Tenting On the Old Campground," "Sweet By and By," "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," and "Oh, My Darling Clementine," all of which are included here.
There is a five-page introduction, with general information about music and music publishing of the 1800s, and at the back of the book, notes on each song. There is also a bibliography of sources Mr. Jackson used to write the introduction and notes. (Richard Jackson was the Head of the Americana Collection for the Music Division of the New York Public Library when this collection was published in 1976.)
Otherwise, this book is page after page of piano-vocal music. The arrangements would not be very difficult for an advanced piano student, and most people who've had some training could learn to play at least some of the songs. A particular favorite is "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" which has a lively introduction I've not seen before, and directions on when the words are to be sung by a soloist or the chorus. "Vive la compaignie" includes four-part harmony, and several other songs include more than one line.
Other favorites of mine include "The Flying Trapeze," "Lorena," "Long, Long Ago," "Silver Threads Among the Gold," and "Whispering Hope."
The arrangements are different from what we are used to hearing, and, like all good folk music, give a certain insight into the hearts and thoughts of the people of those particular times.
Well worth the relatively low cost . . .
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For any mass communication scholar or practitioner, this is an absolute must read. I have written several research papers throughout college and graduate school, and this book was an indespensible tool. If communication is your thing, get it now!
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