America's First Professional Songwriter

They say that sometimes the history of people is written in their music. Not so much in the works of great composers, but in the songs that come from the souls of humble men and women. Alfred Lord Tennyson said, "The song that serves a nation's heart, is in itself a deed."

I am of course, talking about Stephen Collins Foster, an American legend. Born on 4th July 1826 in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, he even shared his birthday with the nation, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Stephen Collins Foster was known as the "father of American music", a songwriter primarily known for his parlor and minstrel music. He wrote over 200 songs, and even if you don't recognise them by name, you will have most certainly heard their melodies. 

Among the most popular are Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, Old Black Joe, and Beautiful Dreamer, which was published after his tragic death at just 37 years old. 

His songs have been carried along from generation to generation, still being popular over 150 years since they were first written.

My Old Kentucky Home is the official state song of Kentucky, adopted by the General Assembly on March 19, 1928. Old Folks at Home is the official state song of Florida, designated in 1935. 

Today's Cavalcade of America celebrates the songs of our American legend, Stephen Collins Foster, with an entire show dedicated to his memory, and the songs that he wrote, which you can listen to here.

Happy listening my friends,