Parlor Music

When This Dreadful War Is Ended

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1863

There is no record of copyright entry or deposit for “When This Dreadful War Is Ended,” but the copyright claim on page 3 of the earliest edition is for 1863.

Where Is Thy Spirit Mary?

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1895

Although the song was not submitted for copyright until December 9, 1895, by publisher George Mercer Jr., it was probably composed in 1847. The song was dedicated to Mary Keller, to whom Foster had previously dedicated “There’s a Good Time Coming.” This song was intended as a tribute shortly after Keller’s death and probably was not intended for publication. The manuscript remained in the Keller family until 1895, when Mrs. J. J. Vandergrift obtained it from Rachel Keller Woods (Mary’s sister) and arranged for publication of the song. 

While the Bowl Goes Round

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1870

“While the Bowl Goes Round” was submitted for copyright deposit on August 12, 1870, by John J. Daly of New York. The author of the lyrics is George Cooper.

A sketch for the words of a song titled “When the Bowl Goes Round” appears in Foster’s manuscript book. The position of the song, among a group of sketches for unpublished songs framed by “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “Come with Thy Sweet Voice Again” suggests that Foster worked on it in the summer 1854. Except for the title and the topic of the song, this sketch bears little resemblance to the published song. 

Why Have My Loved Ones Gone?

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1861

“Why Have My Loved Ones Gone?” was submitted for copyright deposit on August 5, 1861, by Horace Waters. 

Willie Has Gone to the War

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1863

“Willie Has Gone to War” was submitted for copyright deposit on July 1, 1863, by William A. Pond & Co. George Cooper authored the lyrics.

Willie My Brave

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1853

“Willie My Brave” was submitted for copyright on October 21, 1851. An arrangement with guitar accompaniment was submitted for copyright on August 23, 1853, by Firth, Pond & Co.

According to Evelyn Foster Mornweck’s The Chronicles of Stephen Foster’s Family:

Willie We Have Missed You

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1854

“Willie We Have Missed You” was presented for copyright deposit on March 4, 1854, by Firth, Pond & Co. A guitar arrangement of the song was submitted for copyright deposit on September 20, 1854, also by Firth, Pond & Co.

According to Evelyn Foster Morneweck’s The Chronicles of Stephen Foster’s Family:

Wilt Thou Be Gone, Love?

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1851

“Wilt Thou Be Gone, Love?” was submitted for copyright deposit on March 12, 1851, by Firth, Pond & Co. in New York. The lyrics were adapted anonymously from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 5.

According to Evelyn Foster Mornweck’s The Chronicles of Stephen Foster’s Family:

Wilt Thou Be True?

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1864

“Wilt Thou Be True?” was submitted for copyright deposit on January 23, 1864, by Horace Waters of New York. George Cooper authored the lyrics.

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