Sheet Music Collection

1600 WFCHS/THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff 12/2005. Last revised 02/2021.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 0.25 linear feet

DATE: 1859-1974

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Sheet Music Collection contains compositions inspired by the Shenandoah Valley and southern history and/or written by Virginians. There are also some songs written in response to World War I. The composers in this collection include Mary Earl (Robert A. King), Grant Clark, Howard E. Rogers, Charles K. Harris and Winchester, VA residents Agnes Bell and Mary Hack. The collection also contains a copy of “Dixie’s Land” by Daniel D. Emmett (1859).

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: Charles K. Harris (1867-1930) was from New York state. “Down in the Vale of Shenandoah” was published in 1904. Another Harris song, “Mid the Green Fields of Virginia,” reached number 2 on the 1899 Billboard chart. Dan Emmett, the composer of “Dixie’s Land,” was a founder of the Virginia Minstrels, which popularized blackface musical performance in the nineteenth century.

Mary Earl was the pseudonym of Robert A. King (1862-1932) and the writer of “From Valley Forge To France” during the First World War. Ernest K. Emurian (1912-2004) was a Methodist minister in Virginia. He wrote many hymns and songs during his lifetime.  

Agnes Bell and Mary Hack were residents of Winchester, VA, but little else is known of them. Their song, “Apple of the Valley,” was published in 1911 in Winchester, VA. Edythe P. Landes may have been a resident of Harrisonburg, VA, but this is uncertain. 

CITE AS: Sheet Music Collection, 1600 WFCHS/THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift.

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1

“Apple of the Valley,” words by Mary Hack, music by Agnes Bell, printed 1911 in Winchester, 5 pages

“Dixie’s Land,” by Daniel D. Emmett (1859)—contains a copy (photocopy) of original lyrics and sheet music; 1 item, actual size facsimile, printed

“Down in the Vale of Shenandoah,” by Charles K. Harris, 1904, Chicago, 3 pages, printed

“From Valley Forge to France,” by Mary Earl; sheet music, 2 pages, printed

“If He Can Fight Like He Can Love—Good Night, Germany!” written by Grant Clark and Howard E Rogers, music by Geo. W. Meyer; sheet music, 2 pages, printed

“Mid the Green Fields of Virginia,” by Charles K. Harris, 1930, New York City, 3 pages, printed

“Virginia is for Lovers” by Ernest K. Emurian, 1974, 2 pages, printed, signed by composer

“When it’s Apple Blossom Time in the Valley”, words and music by Edythe P. Landes, printed 1934 in Harrisonburg, VA. 2 pages