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Lee Schreiner Sheet Music Collection

Lee Schreiner donated a large portion of his sheet music collection--several thousand pieces--to Rare Books and Special Collections in 2014. Music in the collection covers much of the early 20th century, with coverage especially strong during World War I (1914-1918). Because most Americans either had access to pianos or watched performers at music halls, sheet music is an ideal medium for studying popular and visual culture. Pieces in the collection reflect popular opinion about the war, as well as the changing status of women and minorities. The first phase to digitize the Schreiner collection concluded in 2017 to coincide with the centennial of World War I, with future plans to digitize more of the collection later in the year.

Browse by first line of chorus | first line of lyrics | cover illustration

The high cost of living
words by Gladys Wilson ; music by O. Elizabeth Wilson., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., There's a cloud of trouble settled on the folks all over town., The high cost of living is simply a shame., Staff notation.
Heroes of liberty
words by Norrie Bernard ; music by Edw. I. Pfeiffer., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Photograph of the 27th Division passing through the Arch of Victory, Madison Square, New York City / by Underwood & Underwood., In the days of used to be, wars have made our history., Our heroes of liberty have fought so our rights shall be., "A song suggested by the photo play of the same name"--Cover., Staff notation.
Hello boys!
lyric by Agnes Boyle Garvin ; music by Marion D. King., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Foot soldier holding up a large American flag greets a sailor who raises his hand to him. Between them is a warship in New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty., All Europe was embroiled., Hello Boys!, Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site., Staff notation.
He fought that all the world be free
words by John Robertson ; music by Ian Donnachaidh., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Rural village scene with a church tower, cottage, canon and ruined buildings., On Flander's field, my soldier boy., He went to war that all the world be free., Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site., Staff notation.
Hats off to Miss Liberty
poem by L. W. French ; music by R. A. Browne., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., "Dedicated to Constitution Day"--Cover., Silhouette of a crowd raising their hats and cheering the Statue of Liberty which rises up above them against the rays of a blazing sun., Hands are stretched out across the sea to Samuel and Miss Liberty., Hats off to Miss Liberty!, Staff notation.
Each for all, and all for each
lyric by Harold G. Frost ; music by F. Henri Klickmann., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., "Song dedicated to the Co-Operative Society of America"--Cover., New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty, steamships and the skyline of Manhattan., Ev'rybody's cheering war on profiteering most ev'ry place that you go., Staff notation., NIU copy: imperfect, missing pages 3-4.
Hustle rustle tussle muscle
lyric by J. W. Spencer ; music by Herman A. Hummel., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., "Ev'ry country likes the hustling Yankee boy.", Eagle flying swiftly across the sky followed by a biplane. Below this scene is a drawing of a young American man in a suit, tie, and hat. He is carrying a duffel bag. Behind him is a dial with five notches containing drawings of men from England, France, Germany, China and Australia., Oh you Yankee boy., Hustle, rustle, tussle, muscle., Staff notation.
American Legion's march
by Lincoln G. Scheetz & J. H. Meredith., piano, Title from cover., Caption title gives composer as "I. H. Meredith.", March for piano., Photograph with caption: "General Pershing reviewing Americans at Metz Apr. 29, 1919.", Staff notation.
Dumbell rag
words and music by Ivor E. Ayre., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Photo of Ivor E. Ayre on a red background with black lettering. Red dumbell above first word of title., Hi! Boys hear our latest rag., Oh that Dumbell rag., Composer is musical director of the Dumbells., "Sung by the Dumbells in their overseas revue Biff, Bing, Bang."--Cover., Staff notation.
Don't forget the boys
words and music by Sidney Greene., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Uncle Sam stands on the steps of the United States Captiol building holding a flyer with the word "bonus" on it. Behind him is a crowd of war veterans, some disabled from fighting in the war., Just to refreshen your mem'ry., The navy did their bit on the water., "Dedicated to the Veterans of the World War.", Staff notation.
Don't take the red and white out of the flag and leave us the blues
words by Joe Young and Sam M. Lewis ; music by Walter Donaldson., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Strip of ribbon in red white and blue with various motifs, floral and geometric / RS., Come on and rally around the flag., Red and white out of the flag., Staff notation.
Have you forgotten
by Larry Stengle, Fred Carson and Chas. Corrigan., piano, voice, Title from cover., March for voice and piano., Photo of a young woman wearing a sleeveless summer dress and hat sitting by the window of a gazebo or tree house looking up in thought. Signed by a New York photographer / Mandy., The boys have all returned again., Have you forgotten that the boys come home., "Buy a copy and keep the ex-service men employed"--Cover., Staff notation.
Meet me down on the levee
words and music by M.D. Staninger., piano, voice, Caption title., Foxtrot for voice and piano., Man in military attire is waving from the levee and calling out. Behind him is a city scape, a boat on the river and a man sitting on an overturned barrell fishing. Inset photo with caption: "Featured by Lieut Max Finks Syncopated Jazz artists.", Tenshun all you Legion men., Say to Al I'll meet him down on the levee., "The American Legion National Welcome Song"--Cover, "Song by Stan Staniger, Alvin Callander Post, American Legion"--Cover., Staff notation.
America first last and always
by Bernie Grossman, Arthur Sizemore, Larry Shay., piano, voice, Title from cover., March for voice and piano., Inset photo of William Hale Thompson with caption: "Big Bill, 'America First'.", From over the sea they saw you beckon., America first and last and always., At head of caption title: "Dedicated to a great American William Hale Thompson.", Staff notation.
Buy American!
words by Al Lewis ; music by Al Sherman., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Uncle Sam is pointing to the title "Buy American!" with all sorts of consumer goods in the background including shoes, hats, canes, dresses, rings, tables, chairs and cigarettes / Leff., If you want to cheer up the red, white and blue, First line of lyric: There's a brand new slogan, NIU copy., Staff notation.
Enver-Pascha-Marsch
A. Selvelli., piano, Title from cover., March for piano., Laural wreath with a swastika attached to the bottom of it., Plate number: Edition Schott No. 06178., Staff notation.
Chase the Kaiser!
words and music by Porter Emerson Browne., piano, voice, Title from caption., For voice and piano., Caption illustration: Group of children holding bonds chasing the Kaiser., Save ev'ry penny until you have many and buy a Liberty Bond., "C. Thomas, music designer.", Staff notation.
Black Jack
by Fred K. Huffer., piano, Title from cover., For piano., "Respectfully dedicated to Gen. John J. Pershing, U.S.A.", Portrait photo of Gen. Pershing with an illustration of figures from a marching band, a drum major and four instrumentalists., Staff notation.
76er Marsch
von A. Ganzer., piano, Title from cover., For piano., Bugle corps composed of five uniformed soldiers blowing long-necked bugles with banners that have the symbol of the single-headed German royal eagle on them., Staff notation.
Deutschen Furcht
Text von A. Ey und Hugo F. W. Janowski ; Musik von E. Karl., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Red and black line frame with the German coat of arms at the top., Die ganze Welt in Wassen starrt., Wir Deutschen fürchten unsern Gott., Music based on an old tune., In German., Staff notation.
Hipp, hipp, hipp, hurrah!
von Georg Kunoth, op. 24., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Portrait drawing of Wilhelm II surrounded by foliage with caption: "Wilhelm II., Deutscher Kaiser und König von Preussen, Geb. 27. Januar 1859." Banner above him reads, "Wir halten fest und treu zusammen!", Lasst tönen laut den frohen Sang hinaus in alle Welt., Es soll Begeist' rung uns entflammen, hipp, hipp, hurrah, hipp, hipp, hurrah., Staff notation.
Internationale
Musik von Degayter ; nach den franz Worten deutsch übersetzt von Dr. Franz Diederich., piano, voice, Title from cover., For voice and piano., Translated from the French., Two globes with inset photo of Karl Marx., Nun reckt empor des Elends Stirnen, ihr Angeschmiedeten der Not!, Schon jubeln des Siegs Signale!, Staff notation.