Songs with Guitar

Maggie by My Side

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1852

Firth, Pond & Co. entered “Maggie by My Side” for copyright on October 14, 1852, depositing a title page on that day as well. An arrangement of “Maggie by My Side” with guitar accompaniment was entered and deposited for copyright on September 20, 1854, by Firth, Pond & Co.

According to Evelyn Foster Mornweck’s The Chronicles of Stephen Foster’s Family, “After his return from the South in March, 1852, Stephen published that year ‘Massa’s in de Cold Ground,’ ‘The Hour for Thee and Me,’ ‘I Cannot Sing Tonight,’ and ‘Maggie by My Side.’”

Massa’s in de Cold Ground

Artist (Composed By): 
Foster, Stephen C. (Collins)
1852

WARNING: This is a blackface minstrel song, a genre that features demeaning caricatures rooted in racism and white supremacy.

“Massa’s in de Cold Ground” was submitted for copyright entry on June 29, 1852, and for copyright deposit on July 7, 1852, by Firth, Pond & Co. Clark’s School Visitor republished the song in December, 1859, with the permission of Firth, Pond & Co. The song’s more familiar title, “Massa’s in de Cold, Cold Ground” did not appear until the Oliver Ditson Company issued it under that title in 1867. 

My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night!

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

WARNING: This is a blackface minstrel song, a genre that features demeaning caricatures rooted in racism and white supremacy.

“My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!” was entered and deposited for copyright twice. One occurred on January 11, 1853, with no title page. The second occured on January 31, 1853.

“My Old Kentucky Home” was arranged for guitar and submitted for copyright deposit on August 23, 1853, also by Firth, Pond & Co.

Oh! Boys, Carry Me ’Long

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

WARNING: This is a blackface minstrel song, a genre that features demeaning caricatures rooted in racism and white supremacy.

“Oh! Boys, Carry Me ’Long” was entered for copyright on June 24, 1851, and entered for copyright deposit on June 25th, 1851, by Firth, Pond & Co. of New York. 

The song was arranged for guitar accompaniment and submitted for copyright deposit on February 4, 1853.

Two holograph manuscripts of the song are held at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California.

Old Dog Tray

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

“Old Dog Tray” was entered for copyright deposit on August 10, 1853, by Firth, Pond & Co.

A guitar arrangement of the song was submitted for copyright deposit on September 28, 1854, also by Firth, Pond & Co.

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

Old Memories

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

“Old Memories” was deposited for copyright on December 5, 1853, by Firth, Pond & Co.

A guitar arrangement of the song was submitted for copyright on September 27, 1854, also by Firth, Pond, & Co.

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

Stephen Foster Collection

Stephen C. (Collins) Foster (1826–1864) was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh. He wrote songs in his youth to perform in amateur blackface minstrel shows and in parlors with his friends. After the immense success of “Oh! Susanna” and “Uncle Ned,” in 1849 Foster signed contracts with music publishers and embarked on a career as a songwriter.

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:

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