Down In Memphis -They're Wearing Out Their Shoes, Dancing To "The Blues"

Object Details

Composed by: Hi Wilson
Written by: Hale N. Byers
Published by: Charles Leslie Johnson, American, 1876 - 1950; Chas. L. Johnson Music Company, American
Owned by: Vernon Sugg McDonald, American, 1906 - 1982

Description: Sheet music for the song Down in Memphis. The front cover for the sheet music features an illustration of an African American man dancing while several other people look on and play instruments. The scene takes place on a dock at night and a boat can be seen in the water. Red and white type on the front cover above the image reads: [DOWN IN MEMPHIS / -THEY'RE WEARING OUT THEIR SHOES, DANCING TO "THE BLUES"]. Below the image, red type reads: [The / great "levee" / song of the South / by / HI WILSON / HALE BYERS]. A text box logo in blue ink on the bottom of the front cover reads: [CHAS. L. JOHNSON / MUSIC COMPANY / GORDON-KOPPEL BLDG. / LIVE-WIRE / MUSIC / MUSIC COMPANY / KANSAS CITY, MO.]. The front inside cover has sheet music in black ink for additional songs. The interior of the sheet music consists of three pages of sheet music in black ink for Down in Memphis. The top of the back cover has a drawing in black ink of a man playing a trombone. There is also sheet music for a song titled: [Doodle De-Dum].
Statement: Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

1916

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain; Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Place collected: Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America
Place printed: Kansas City, Missouri, United States, North and Central America
Cultural Place: Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Racist and Stereotypical Objects; Written Music

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd532d59c08-4661-4c3b-b1c9-7d4704185082