Bradbury, William B.; Root, George F. The Shawm; Library of Church Music: embracing about one thousand pieces, consisting of Psalm and Hymn Tunes adapted to every meter in use, Anthems, Chants, and Set Pieces; to which is added and original Cantata, entitled Daniel; or, the Captivity and Restoration. New York: Mason Brothers, (1853). [12220]
Brown leather spine, green printed paper over card (hardcover), binding scuffed and worn with some loss of paper, oblong 6 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches. 352 pages, lacks the front and back free end papers (blanks). The text is clean. Fair. Hardcover.
Title continues: Including, also, The Singing Class; an entirely new and practical arrangement of the Elements of Music, interspersed with social part-songs for practice. "Assisted by Thomas Hastings and T. B. Mason."
The music is in four parts with round notes.
William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868). b. York, Maine; d. Montclair, New Jersey. He was the author and compiler of fifty-nine books of musical collections for choirs and schools, the first published in 1841. His best-known song is probably "Jesus Loves Me," for which he wrote the music and added the chorus, "Yes, Jesus loves me..." Other well-known tunes composed by Bradbury are sung to the hymns "He Leadeth Me," "Just As I Am," "Sweet Hour of Prayer," and "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less."
George Frederick Root (1820-1895), b. Sheffield, Massachusetts; d. Bailey Island, Maine. Root was trained in the piano by George J. Webb. He was a music teacher, church organist, and composer. Root became famous through several very popular military songs adopted by Union troops during the first American Civil War. His composition "The Battle Cry of Freedom" is recognized as the most popular Northern war anthem. It was so popular that a version was amended for the use of Confederate troops.
