"Young Eph's Lament" Song Sheet

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
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.

Terms of access:

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).

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.

Summary

Extent:
0.06 cubic feet 1 letter folder
Creator:
Charles Magnus & Co. and Cohasco, Inc.
Abstract:
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.
Language:
English .
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.

Background

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."

Biographical / historical:

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.

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.

Arrangement:

The song sheet is housed in one letter folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard