First referred to as “Miss MacLeod’s Reel” by a foreigner visiting Connacht, Ireland, in 1779, who wrote about taking part in a dance where the prize was a cake, or possibly heard as one of several pieces played by pipers in Galway. Either way, the tune stuck and became better known as simply “Mc...

"Kingdom Coming" (a.k.a. "Year of Jubilo"), words and music by Henry Clay Work (1832-1884), published by Chicago's George Root & Cady in 1862, became one of the most popular and memorable songs to emerge during the American Civil War. Though the song is decidedly pro-Union, it was often heard bei...

Now literally 'world-famous', the song known as "Buffalo Gals" is generally credited to one John Hodges (1821-1891), whose minstrel-stage character was called "Cool White." However, that name is only its last name, established after its 1848 publishing by the minstrel group, the Ethiopian Serenad...

Truly 'born on the 4th of July', Stephen Foster began his life in 1826 Pennsylvania. Though having a troubled and tragically brief life spanning only 37 years, Foster nevertheless wrote memorable words and melodies for over 200 songs.

Many of Foster's most well-known songs were created for the b...

Words and music by Stephen Foster. This song, written in 1847, and composed when he was only 20, earned Foster his first payment - $100 cash - and has become one of his most enduring melodies. It was first performed in public by Foster himself at the Eagle Ice Cream Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv...