Late 19Late 19thth Century Century AmericaAmerica

Changing Tastes:Changing Tastes:

Stephen FosterStephen Foster

Stephen FosterStephen Foster1826-18641826-1864

The Father of American The Father of American MusicMusic

BiographyBiography

Born in 1826 in western Born in 1826 in western PA, east of PittsburgPA, east of Pittsburg

One of ten childrenOne of ten childrenA standard education – A standard education –

which included musical which included musical training, but hated schooltraining, but hated school

Musical InfluencesMusical Influences

Two early teachers helped craft his Two early teachers helped craft his future:future:

Henry Klaber – a German immigrant Henry Klaber – a German immigrant who owned a music store in who owned a music store in PittsburghPittsburgh

Dan Rice – a local circus man and Dan Rice – a local circus man and blackface performerblackface performer

Daniel RiceDaniel Rice

Entertainer in the Entertainer in the 1919thth century century

Good friend of Abe Good friend of Abe LincolnLincoln

Ran for president Ran for president in 1868in 1868

Dan Rice in his Dan Rice in his later years….later years….

Daniel Rice as a Daniel Rice as a clown….clown….

His persona was His persona was the inspiration for the inspiration for “Uncle Sam”“Uncle Sam”

back to Foster…back to Foster…

An established “classical” German An established “classical” German influence – Lieder (remember the influence – Lieder (remember the Erlking?)Erlking?)

The leading form of entertainment in The leading form of entertainment in America at the timeAmerica at the time

Stephen was a member of an Stephen was a member of an all-male secret club called the all-male secret club called the S.T. (Square Table)S.T. (Square Table)–Similar to a “Glee Club”Similar to a “Glee Club”

Some of his earliest songs were Some of his earliest songs were created for this group (“Oh! created for this group (“Oh! Susanna”)Susanna”)

His 1His 1stst published song, “Open published song, “Open Thy Lattice Love,” was written Thy Lattice Love,” was written when he was 18when he was 18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Y9lR6U7KI

Did NOT start out as a professional Did NOT start out as a professional musicianmusician

Wrote his first “hit” in 1848 while Wrote his first “hit” in 1848 while working as a bookkeeper for a working as a bookkeeper for a steamship company in Ohiosteamship company in Ohio

Over his career – went on to write Over his career – went on to write 200+ songs200+ songs– Camptown RacesCamptown Races– Old Folks at HomeOld Folks at Home– Oh SusanaOh Susana– Jeanie with the Light Brown HairJeanie with the Light Brown Hair

His style:His style:– Simple melodies, easily singable, with Simple melodies, easily singable, with

stories EVERYONE could relate tostories EVERYONE could relate to

Most were used in minstrel showsMost were used in minstrel shows Sought to write songs that brought Sought to write songs that brought

people togetherpeople together He “refined” the minstrel music style He “refined” the minstrel music style

– bringing his classical influence into – bringing his classical influence into the foldthe fold

First songwriter to call a black First songwriter to call a black woman a ladywoman a lady

Started calling the songs that he Started calling the songs that he wrote “plantation songs” as they wrote “plantation songs” as they began to use other (European) began to use other (European) elements in themelements in them

A different “feel” to these songs than A different “feel” to these songs than that of “Zip Coon” or the other that of “Zip Coon” or the other minstrel songs we discussedminstrel songs we discussed

By the end of his career – they began By the end of his career – they began to reflect American life in generalto reflect American life in general

The Outcome of his The Outcome of his Career…Career…

Died at age 37 Died at age 37 A poor man with an alcohol problem, A poor man with an alcohol problem,

only $.38 in his pocketonly $.38 in his pocket

His MUSIC was known by the public – His MUSIC was known by the public – but his name was not.but his name was not.

The income he made came from The income he made came from royaltiesroyalties

Ongoing payment made to an artist to Ongoing payment made to an artist to use their workuse their work

Made a grand total of $15,000 from ALL Made a grand total of $15,000 from ALL the songs that he wrotethe songs that he wrote

On average – about $1,300 / yearOn average – about $1,300 / year He was a very BAD businessman – made He was a very BAD businessman – made

a lot of ill advised deals on his musica lot of ill advised deals on his music

““Oh Susanna” - written in Oh Susanna” - written in 18541854– Sold the rights to a publisher Sold the rights to a publisher

for $100for $100 Publisher only paid a small % Publisher only paid a small %

back to Fosterback to Foster20 different arrangements 20 different arrangements

from 1847-50from 1847-5011 different publishers11 different publishers

Old Folks at HomeOld Folks at Home

1851 – written for 1851 – written for Christy’s Minstrels Christy’s Minstrels – Minstrel troupe based in NYCMinstrel troupe based in NYC

Sung in first person from the Sung in first person from the perspective of a slave (including perspective of a slave (including dialect)dialect)– Foster was from the North – and was Foster was from the North – and was

AGAINST slaveryAGAINST slavery

Way Down upon de Swanee Way Down upon de Swanee ribber,ribber,

Far, Far away,Far, Far away,

Dere’s wha my heart is Dere’s wha my heart is turning ebberturning ebber

Dere’s wha de old folks stayDere’s wha de old folks stay

All up and down de whole All up and down de whole creation, Sadly I roamcreation, Sadly I roam

Still longing for de old Still longing for de old plantation and for de old plantation and for de old folks at homefolks at home

All de world am sad and All de world am sad and drearydreary

Ebry where I roamEbry where I roam

Oh! Darkies how my heart Oh! Darkies how my heart grows weary,grows weary,

Far from de old folks at home.Far from de old folks at home.

Is the Is the official official state song of….state song of….

FLORIDA (adopted in 1935)FLORIDA (adopted in 1935) The “Suwannee” River runs through The “Suwannee” River runs through

Northern Florida. Foster altered the Northern Florida. Foster altered the title to fit the song.title to fit the song.

Lyrics were altered in 1978.Lyrics were altered in 1978. The “dialect” was officially droppedThe “dialect” was officially dropped ““Darkies” was dropped as well.Darkies” was dropped as well.

Modern LyricsModern Lyrics Way down upon the Way down upon the

Swanee River, Far, far Swanee River, Far, far away,away,

There's where my heart is There's where my heart is turning ever,turning ever,

There's where the old folks There's where the old folks stay.stay.

All up and down the whole All up and down the whole creation,Sadly I roam,creation,Sadly I roam,

Still longing for the old Still longing for the old plantation,plantation,

And for the old folks at And for the old folks at home.home.

All the world is sad and All the world is sad and drearydrearyEverywhere I roam.Everywhere I roam.

O brothers, how my heart O brothers, how my heart grows weary,grows weary,

Far from the old folks at Far from the old folks at home.home.

Next Time…Next Time…

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