1920's EMERSON C. COX. Early Baptist Composer Unpublished MSs, Including Slavery Song, &c.

 A fascinating 40pp unpublished book of compositions of early 20th century Baptist hymnist and composer, Emerson C. Cox. The volume composed by his lyrical collaborator, Frederic L. Rickard. We trace no examples of the hymns [in this form], love songs, or cultural tunes in any printed collection. 

The most interesting composition of the group is meant to imagine a negro's song of jubilation the night before his family's freedom is to be effected as a result of the Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. But the protagonist of the song, the elder patriarch of the slave family, chooses to remain on the plantation because of his attachment to the land. 

The historical note before the music reads: "The night before the slaves are to be freed, the old patriarch sings to the jubilant youngsters, then picks up his bundle and slowly and sadely marches away as he sings the chorus."

Title: I'se A-Weary [1935]

Verse 1.

Come on chilluns, say a last farewell
to dis field ob snowy-white;
de sun am settin' over yonder;
slavery ends for you tonight.

Allyou darkies get your freedom
With the first peep of de day,
But us ol' folks gwine to linger
We can't stand to go away.

Verse 2. 

All we love is on dis plantation
We're bound tighter dan before
Our ol' heart-strings twine all through it
Like de vine around our door.

Mammy's sleepin' neath de willows
Over younder on de hill.
Can't go 'way and leave ol' mammy
Can't and guess I never will.

Chorus.

I'se a-weary, just a-weary, 
Don't mean nothin' bein' free.
I'se a-weary, just a-weary
Cast adrift on trubble's sea.
I'se a-weary, just a-weary
Cast adrift on trubble's sea.

Cox, Emerson C. Songs by Emerson C. Cox. Compiled by F. L. Rickard. Nd. MSs. c.1940. 40pp. 

Includes Nocturnes Moderne. A Trilogy of Love Songs. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Frederic L. Rickard [1935]; Serenade Moderne. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Frederic L. Rickard [1935]; Lullaby Moderne. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Frederic L. Rickard [1935]; Crossing the Bar. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Alfred Tennyson [1922]; Magical Midnight Moon. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Mitchell Marsman [ND]; Serenade. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Ruth Leona Becker [1931]; Love's Victory. Music by Emerson C. Cox and words by Don S. Huffman [1932]; Berian's Love Song. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by Don S. Huffman [1931]; Song of the Lords. By R. L. Johns, D. S. Huffman, and E. C. Cox [1931]; O Wind, O Gentle Wind. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by E. S. Buchanan [1930]; O Love that Will Not Let Me Go. Music by Emerson C. Cox and Words by George Matheson [1931].

Very good, bound in cloth that's a bit rubbed at the extremities, and through a a few points. Text is generally solid, with some toning.