Your TR Source
Some people use the term “collector” when viewing Dr. Crew’s amazing political sheet music collection; however, he believes the term “hoarder” is probably more accurate. Prior to embarking on a life-long collector’s odyssey, his interests included music, politics, and history. History and politics were reflected in his choice of government for his college major and history as his minor, while music was his spare time personal passion (trombone in high school band and banjo, guitar, and accordion in his spare time).
His sheet music collecting started in 1972 when he found himself wandering around an antique shop in Tallahassee, Florida. He noticed several campaign buttons for the 1900 campaign of McKinley and Roosevelt. The store owner indicated that he had a trunk full of items in the back of the store: There were scores of old campaign souvenirs including buttons, ribbons, banners, and a large stack of sheet music. Dr. Crew bought the entire lot. At home he began sorting through the items; and the sheet music stuck out as particularly interesting. He remembers a piece of Teddy Roosevelt sheet music, awash in bright colors, with his portrait almost jumping off the page, and he concluded that sheet music was a wonderful way to combine his love of politics, history, and music into one inexpensive collectible.
Today, Crew’s collection of political-related items exceeds 13,000 pieces, including the nation’s largest collections of music related to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and with over 450 pieces, Theodore Roosevelt. The collection led Dr. Crew to author four published bibliographies on political sheet music and formed the basis of his PhD in music history from the University of Sunderland (UK).
Read Dr. Crew’s essay on sheet music as public discourse here.
See below to view items from the collection.
Sheet music for “Oh, William Taft,” a campaign song for Taft’s 1912 presidential campaign. The lyrics mention Theodore Roosevelt and his support for the Republican Party.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1911
Sheet music for “Bust the Trusts,” a campaign song for Governor Wilson’s 1912 presidential campaign. The cover features a photograph of Wilson flanked by American flags.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1912
“The Battle Now Is On” supports William H. Taft and J. S. Sherman in the presidential election.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1908
“Prosperity and the Flag” is a song book created for Company A, based in Rochester, New York. The lyrics show support for President William McKinley.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1880-1900
Image depicts Alice Roosevelt Longworth on her travels throughout Asia with the American delegation.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1905
Two songs are included: “Glorious heroes of the great world war” and “For right and dear old glory.” On page four are quotes by and about Theodore Roosevelt, concerning the need to rouse slumbering patriotism and awaken a sense of duty to one’s country.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1918
“McCord’s Republican club songs” is a song book containing lyrics to popular tunes. The songs support William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt in the presidential elections.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1900
Sheet music for “Theo’ Roosevelt,” a short, biographical song about President Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1907
Sheet music for “Rough Riders March,” an instrumental march in tribute to the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, popularly known as the Rough Riders.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1898
Sheet music for “Hail to the Nation,” an instrumental march dedicated to Alice Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1902
Sheet music for “Since Bwano Tumbo Came from Jumbo Land,” a popular song about Theodore Roosevelt’s African safari.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1910
Sheet music for “Roosevelt March and Two Step,” an instrumental march in honor of Governor Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1900
Sheet music for “My Hat’s in the Ring,” a phrase Theodore Roosevelt used when announcing his 1912 presidential candidacy.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1912
Sheet music for “Columbia Rules the Waves,” a tribute to the American fleet. The cover features illustrations of Columbia and a warship. There are oval portraits of President Roosevelt and American naval leaders.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1904
Sheet music for “Alice Blue Waltzes,” a waltz named after Alice Roosevelt and a blue-ish hue she favored that became known as Alice blue.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1906
Sheet music for “Alice Blue Waltzes,” a waltz named after Alice Roosevelt and a blue-ish hue she favored that became known as Alice blue. The cover features a photograph of Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1906
Sheet music for “When Bryan Comes to the White House in Nineteen Hundred Nine,” a campaign song for William Jennings Bryan’s 1908 presidential campaign. Cover features a photograph of Bryan and an unnamed singer that has featured the song.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1908
Sheet music for “Sail On, Victorious, Unseen, Sail,” a patriotic song issued as part of a song writing contest by the Oregon Conservatory of Music. Lyrics for sixteen additional songs are included with an invitation for the public to provide a musical score. The cover features an illustration of a large sailing ship surrounded by images of presidents George Washington through Woodrow Wilson.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1918
The Harris-Goar Jewelry Company uses President Roosevelt’s square deal slogan as the basis for an advertising song, noting that the company always gives customers a “Square Deal.” The song was the prizewinner in a local song contest. The cover features an illustration of Roosevelt in profile.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1905
Sheet music for “The Presidential Campaign,” a campaign march for President Roosevelt’s 1904 presidential campaign.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1904