Foster Stephen Freeman Jas (1 results)

Sheet Music. Condition: as is. 6 pages. Format is approximately 10.5 inches by 14 inches. Decorative front cover, Cover is separated. In addition to Massa's in de Cold Cold Ground (pages 3-5), page 2 contains Up In A Swing by R. A. Montaine (A Sweet Swing Melody full of Rhythm and Expression.) [Copyright 1902] Page 6 contains Flowers and Ferns by R. A. Keiser (A Charming, expressive and interesting Tone Poem.) [Copyright 1905]. This song is by Stephen Foster. The three pieces are music only, with no lyrics provided. Massa's was one of Foster's most popular songs when it was first published, it is now considered an embarrassment to his legacy, since it is cast as a lament by African slaves for their dead white master. While Foster did draw musical inspiration from spirituals that he heard and sympathized with the North during the Civil War, we can safely say that this song presents a highly sentimentalized portrait of slavery. That did not stop the song from being used in numerous stage productions of Uncle Tom's Cabin in the mid-19th century. Originally titled with only Cold used once, sometimes the title is said with the word "cold" repeated, as it was often referred to after the Civil War. This song war reportedly first sung by the Christie Minstrels in 1852. Round de meadows am a-ringing De dark-eyes' mournful song, While de mocking bird am singing, Happy as de day am long. Where de ivy am a-creeping, O'er de grassy mound, Dare old massa am a-sleeping, Sleeping in de cold, cold ground. CHORUS: Down in de cornfield Hear dat mournful sound: All de dark-eyes am a-weeping, Massa's in de cold, cold ground. When de autumn leaves were falling, When de days were cold, 'Twas hard to hear old massa calling, Cayse he was so weak and old. Now de orange trees am blooming, On de sandy shore, Now de summer days am coming, Massa nebber calls no more. Massa make de dark-eyes love him, Cayse he was so kind, Now, dey sadly weep above him, Mourning cayse he leave dem behind. I cannot work before tomorrow, Cayse de teardrop flow, I try to drive away my sorrow, Pickin' on de old banjo. Conservatory Publication Society, Conservatory Edition.