Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], "Young Eph's Lament" Song Sheet, circa 1850-1899, SC 0055, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

James Madison University Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in January 2016.

Processing Information

The archivist applied a contextual date based on Charles Magnus' years of operation.

Bio/Historical Note

Charles Magnus (1826-1900) worked in New York City from 1850 to 1899 as a print publisher, map dealer, book seller, and stationer. He issued over one thousand unique letter sheets, maps, song sheets, envelopes, and prints.

Scope and Content

The "Young Eph's Lament" Song Sheet, circa 1850-1899, is a 5 x 8 inch hand-colored lithograph song sheet featuring four stanzas in stereotypical black dialect. The song sheet includes a hand-colored lithograph of a Union soldier conversing with an African American who is carrying a walking stick. A palmetto tree is in the background. The "Lament" is comprised of four stanzas and begins, "Oh, where will I go if dis war breaks de country up, and de dar-keys hab to scat-ter a-round…" Per the seller's description, the song sheet was "intended for the northerner craving peace but not necessarily abolition."

Arrangement

The song sheet is housed in one letter folder.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Cohasco, Inc.
• Lithographs
• Music -- United States -- 19th century
• Songs (musical compositions)
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music