Music from The American Vocalist

The music on this page is from the ca. 1848 tunebook, "The American Vocalist", along with a few gems from other songbooks of the era. I am grateful to Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata for introducing me to this music, and to David Deacon for kindly scanning in a number of the pages. The music is provided for all to copy, sing, and enjoy. It is my wish that these extraordinary pieces regain their rightful place in American song and worship.

For those interested in hearing recordings of many of these songs, I heartily recomment the Boston Camerata recordings:
American Vocalist, Trav'ling Home, Liberty Tree, An American Christmas

This page is an ongoing project, with additional information, more midi and pdf files as new songs are added. If you find errors in transcription, please let me know so I can correct them. If you wish to contact me, please send email at kayjohn6@aol.com.

Enjoy the music!
John Kay

American Vocalist

D. H. Mansfield (Boston, 1848 and 1849)

Amazing Grace
All is Well
America
Brethren Pray
Burst Ye Emerald Gates
Canaan
Caledonia
Christian Band
Crucifixion
The Demonstration
Evening Hymn
Glad Tidings
The Gospel is Lovely
Go When the Morning Shineth
Hail, Sweetest, Dearest Tie
He Hath Done All Things Well
He Restoreth My Soul How Precious is the Name
John Colby's Hymn
Joseph
Kentucky
Litany Hymn
The Old Ship of Zion
The Prodigal's Return
Remember Me
Rest
Soldiers of the Cross
Star in the East
The Star of Bethlehem
Unity
The Warning
When we Pass Over Jordan
Zurich

Musical Concert

Elisha West, 1807 America

Songs of Joy and Gladness

William McDonald and Joshua Gill (Boston, 1879).

Chapin
I Love Thee
There's Music in My Soul The Pilgrim Company
White as Snow

Other Sources

Let Me Die
Jesus, the Light of the World

Notes on file formats
Background music: Amazing Grace