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commemorates the history of song composition in America. Learn about 10 composers, including Charles Ives ("In Flander's Fields"), Stephen Foster ("Oh! Susanna"), and Francis Hopkinson -- the only American-born composer known to have written songs before 1800. Hear and see the music for nearly 20 songs, including "Shenandoah" and "Danny Deever." (Library of Congress)
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Although the song tradition in the United States is fairly young compared to that of Western Europe, there are still over two centuries' worth of song composition in America. The birth of the American song coincided with the birth of the country; in fact, the first extant art songs in the United States are credited to Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791), a friend of George Washington. |
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![The lovers walk. Currier & Ives, [between 1856 and 1907]. Prints and Photographs Reading Room, Library of Congress.](http://www.free.ed.gov/images/resources/song-america.jpg)
The lovers walk |
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