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Plantation Melodies 65 |
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livered "Lou'siana Belle," "Old Uncle Ned" and "Oh! Susanna" to Mr. Peters for publication, he gave manuscript copies "to several persons" with no "permission nor restriction in regard to publishing them, unless contained in a letter to Mr. Roark accompanying the m.s. of 'Uncle Ned'—although of this I am doubtful."
As to the writing of minstrel music Stephen had mixed feelings. He realized the attitude toward such music in the drawing rooms and concert halls of a city where "the genteel tradition" was cherished. Indeed, as Stephen himself expressed it, "I had the intention of omitting my name on my Ethiopian songs, owing to the prejudice against them by some, which might injure my reputation as a writer of another style of music' 31
Obviously Stephen didn't want to be associated with the kind of thing represented by the minstrel company "Darkies of the 19th Century" who advertised in November 1847,32 that "the Congoes have come to town," using these lines:
I've often heard it rumored round That Cincinnati was de town Whar steam engines and pork was made Dey spends the dimes and—who's afraid.
His publishers doubtless agreed with Stephen's feeling in the matter. On the title-pages of his early Ethiopian songs they featured the singers, such as the Sable Harmonists, giving |
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