PREFACE. The compiler of this little volume, in preparing it for the press, did not feel himself at liberty to consult his own taste in every instance. The task set before him, was merely to select a single song from the productions of two hundred writers. Of course he had little to do beyond ascertaining which one was the most popular, when adapted to music. With the composer, therefore, in many cases, rests the unenviable responsibility of deciding upon the literary merits of some of the effu. sions chosen for this work. All the poets of America have not written songs, which will account for the absence of many names, familiar to the public; and all the song writers of this country are not represented in this volume, which is on account of its dimensions, and not owing to any desire on the part of the compiler to suppress the name of any one who has written either well or successfully. In the hope that a second volume of these Melodies will be acceptable to those who possess the first, he has already commenced his selections for it, and he will feel obliged to the reader for calling his attention to any American song of merit which has been (unintentionally on his part) omitted here. He has no doubt that there are many such; but as he has had no means of ascertaining the fact or of possessing copies, he trusts that should this be the case, that they will be sent to the publishers, for insertion in the second volume. In con. clusion, he trusts, that as a book of American Melodies is certainly a novelty in letters, that it will meet with as much indulgence from the hands of his fellow labourers in the literary vineyard, as they may find it in their natures to bestow, for although the editor can claim no merit whatever for a mere compilation, yet the case is different with the publishers, who deserve much credit for being the pioneers in a description of book that universally abounds in every country except our own. CONTENTS. Page. A Health,..... time is ours, my love,. 20 24 28 36 45 64 85 114 116 118 147 160 188 234 237 238 251 257 25 Canzonet,.. 71 230 84 106 124 125 159 170 114 God bless America,..... 206 Home, sweet home,. 66 96 128 148 190 19 53 61 77 I know that thou art far away,...... I would be with thee........ Page. 176 178 216 223 239 243 247 264 ,17 213 My beautiful Pierre,.. 124 125 159 New England, 38 Day, lady, ask me not to dwell,.. 217 |
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