The new Geocities ads on the right side of your browser window can be pushed offscreen by clicking on the tab that's marked by a couple "greater than" symbols ( >> ).   We recommend doing it once the page is loaded. If clearing the ads loses your place on the page, scroll up.

The Hutchinson Family sang songs of home, family, country, hope, and faith.  They were among the most popular vocalists of their times, and no other American band put their popularity to such use.  Many of the songs they sang endured.

As the times changed,  their topical songs tended to be forgotten,  even some of the best of them.

The  singing  of  the  Hutchinsons  brought  a  tear  to  the  eye.

And they made their listeners smile.

Page 2

Sometimes  they  protested.

Yet in Brother Jesse's verses,  the forces of right had their banners flying proudly in the breeze and there was never any doubt they would prevail.  The Hutchinsons were at their best when they jubilantly affirmed.

The Hutchinsons were patriots of the "Good Time Coming"  -  that future America of justice and freedom.  Whether the day's news was bright or gloomy,  they were the self-appointed prophets of the dawn of a better day.

The marvelous English writer Harriet Martineau,  in an especially beloved feature article,  recorded the singing of the Hutchinson Family in glorious words.

Page 3

The Hutchinson Family was something special.   One theme ran through hundreds or,  perhaps,  thousands of their press notices.  It was expressed best by a writer for Maine's Rockland Gazette,  who speaks here for a multitude.

The Rockland Gazette ended with the sentiment that was expressed in countless notices from Maine to California,  decade after decade  -  "God bless the Hutchinsons!"

Selected References

Dale Cockrell, ed. Excelsior: Journals of the Hutchinson Family Singers, 1842-1846.  Stuyvesant, NY: Pendragon Press. 1989.

• Dale Cockrell's Excelsior is by far the most complete treatment of the pivotal period from the Hutchinson Family quartet's 1842  "grand start"  through the 1845-1846 United Kingdom tour.  It received the Irving R. Lowens Award as the best book on American music published in 1989.  Excelsior remains in print and is available from the publisher and from Amazon.com.  Highly recommended reading.
• Excelsior  is taken out of sequence here, according to publication date. But it reproduces the Hutchinson Family diaries from the years 1842 to 1846, and it generally focuses very heavily on that early, formative, important time.

Abby J. Hutchinson. "From the May Flower: The First Book of Queens, Plymouth, Mass., April 3, 1847." Manuscript in Item 122r, Ludlow Patton's Hutchinson Family Scrapbook, Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, New Hampshire.

• Sister Abby's "First Book of Queens" may not be a standard Hutchinson Family reference in the sense of the other works in this list; but it is a fun mix of autobiography and fiction from one who is unfortunately underrepresented in the Hutchinson Family literature.  "The First Book of Queens" is well worth noting.

The Book of Brothers: History of the Hutchinson Family. New York: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). 1852.

• "In order that the Hutchinson Family may not incur the charge of egotism, they beg to state that the following History has been compiled for publication by a literary friend, from authentic materials furnished by themselves."   That  is the official position taken by the Book of Brothers, and it seems to me it was meant to be taken literally.
• John Wallace Hutchinson, Story of the Hutchinsons (Tribe of Jesse), 2 vols. (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1896), 1:340, made an unelaborated reference to  "Mr. Dix,  the family historian."   His book's index indicates that this Mr. Dix was the writer,  John Ross Dix.  It seems probable that John Hutchinson was telling us John Ross Dix was the "literary friend" who "compiled for publication" and otherwise wrote the Book of Brothers.  It seems every bit as likely that Dix wrote the Book of Brothers (Second Series).  In fact, if the author of the "Second Series" was not the same person as the author of the original Book of Brothers, the title of the 1864 booklet would be very hard to explain.

Abby Hutchinson Patton. Impromptu Lines from Sister Abby: Orange, New Jersey, near New York, to Judson, John, and Asa in New Hampshire, White-Washed Cottage, July 27, 185[3]. S.l.: s.n. 185[3].

• Printed copies of Impromptu Lines From Sister Abby, for a time, were folded and tipped in to Hutchinson Family songsters, as a bonus for purchasers. Thus, it was distributed at concerts and at other points of sale.

The Book of Brothers (Second Series): Being a History of the Adventures of John W. Hutchinson and His Family in the Camps of the Army of the Potomac.  Boston: S. Chism, Franklin Printing House. 1864.

• Evidently the Book of Brothers (Second Series) was written by John Ross Dix.  For information about this line of thought, see the notes above in the entry for the original Book of Brothers (1852).

Joshua Hutchinson. A Brief Narrative of the Hutchinson Family: Sixteen Sons and Daughters of the "Tribe of Jesse." Boston: Lee and Shepard. 1874.

Abby Hutchinson Patton. A Handful of Pebbles.  Privately printed. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press. 1891.

John Wallace Hutchinson. Story of the Hutchinsons (Tribe of Jesse). 2 vols. Boston: Lee and Shepard. 1896.

Ludlow Patton's Hutchinson Family Scrapbook. Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, New Hampshire.

• It is amazing how tiny this bibliographic citation looks in comparison to the vast amount of information that Ludlow Patton lovingly gathered and preserved, having to do with his favorite singers, the Hutchinson Family.  Ludlow kept adding to his scrapbook up to the time of his death in 1906.

Viola Hutchinson Campbell. Memories of a Busy Life. Published by the author. Plymouth, Mass.: The Rogers Print [Co.]. 1926.

Philip D. Jordan and Lillian Kessler. Songs of Yesterday: A Song Anthology of American Life. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Co. 1941.

• Songs of Yesterday contains reproductions of numerous 19th-century scores. Many of these songs were sung by the Hutchinsons and by similar artists and harmony troupes. Some choices are really obvious, from a Hutchinson Family point of view, such as "Excelsior," "King Alcohol," "Uncle Sam's Farm," and the Hutchinson's theme song, "The Old Granite State." Songs of Yesterday is rich with personal favorites including "Get Off the Track!"  "Horticultural Wife," "Jamie's on the Story Sea," and "The Ship on Fire." The Tribe of Asa enjoyed real success with "My Trundle Bed," which is reprinted here. Songs of Yesterday contains two songs sung often by the Tribe of John but which are probably not commonly associated with the Hutchinson Family. They are "Grafted Into the Army" by Henry Clay Work and C. T. Lockwood's temperance drama, "Don't You Go, Tommy." And there is a good deal more.
• An excellent rival group, the Alleghanians, by comparison, is nowhere near as well documented in Songs of Yesterday.  The main score representing the Alleghanians is "Our Home Is on the Mountain's Brow."  Though the song is good enough, it would not have been my first choice by any means. Songs of Yesterday includes far better selections, "The Ship on Fire" and "Uncle Sam's Farm," which were sung by both the Hutchinson Family and the Alleghanians. The latter group's "Old Bachelor's Lament" is probably just a different name for the Hutchinsons' "Batchelor's Lament," which appears in the Jordan and Kessler book. And Songs of Yesterday includes "The Fine Ould Irish Gentleman," which was listed at times on Alleghanians' programs. But when one considers the long career, great popularity, extensive tours, finished performances, and varied repertoire of the Alleghanians, Songs of Yesterday does not have a lot to show. The Hutchinson Family was much more fortunate.

Philip D. Jordan. Singin' Yankees.  Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 1946.

Carol Brink. Harps in the Wind: The Story of the Singing Hutchinsons.  New York: Macmillan. 1947.

George Calvin Carter. Walter Kittredge: Minstrel of the Merrimack.  Manchester, NH: S.n. 1953.

J. B. Packard. The Spirit Minstrel; a Collection of Hymns and Music, for the Use of Spiritualists, in Their Circles and Public Meetings. Boston: Bela Marsh. 1853.

• An 1856 "improved" second edition was credited to J. B. Packard and J. S. Loveland.
• J. B. Packard seems to have had an interesting career, and it hits quite close to home.   I used to live a tiny block from a street named for his mother's family.  J. B. Packard was connected with the Alleghanians, and an association with members of the Hutchinson Family seems highly likely: hence this query.  If you have information about J. B. Packard, his life, and/or his work, and you would be willing to share it, please e-mail us via the contact link toward the bottom of the page.

Songsters

Asa B. Hutchinson. The Granite Songster: Comprising the Songs of the Hutchinson Family, Without the Music.  Boston: A. B. Hutchinson. New York: Charles Holt, Jr. 1847.

Asa B. Hutchinson. Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family.  New York: Baker, Godwin & Co., Printers. 1851.

Asa B. Hutchinson. Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family. New York: Baker Godwin & Co., Printers. 1852.

Asa B. Hutchinson. Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family. [2nd ed.] New York: Baker, Godwin & Co., Printers. 1853.

• Printed copies of Abby Hutchinson Patton's Impromptu Lines From Sister Abby (1853), for a time, were folded and tipped in to Hutchinson Family songsters, as a bonus for purchasers.

Asa B. Hutchinson. Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family [To Which Is Added the Book of Brothers].   [2nd ed.] Boston: J. S. Potter & Co., Printers. 1855.

Asa B. Hutchinson. Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family: To Which Is Added the Book of Brothers.  Boston: J. S. Potter. 1857.

Asa B. Hutchinson. The Hutchinson Family's Book of Poetry: Containing Sixty-Seven of Their Most Popular Songs.  Boston: S. Chism, Franklin Printing House. 1858.

John W. Hutchinson, ed. Hutchinson's Republican Songster for the Campaign of 1860.  New York: O. Hutchinson. 1860.

John W. Hutchinson, ed. Connecticut Wide-Awake Songster.  New York: O. Hutchinson. 1860.

Walter Kittredge. Walter Kittredge's Union Song Book: Containing Some of His Most Popular Songs, Humorous and Sentimental.  Boston: S. Chism, Franklin Printing House. 1862.

Walter Kittredge. Walter Kittredge's Song Book: Containing Some of His Most Popular Songs, Humorous and Sentimental.  Boston: S. Chism, Franklin Printing House. 1863.

Asa B. Hutchinson. The Latest Musical Compositions of Asa B. Hutchinson, as Sung at the Concerts of the Hutchinson Family, "Tribe of Asa." [Chicago]: S.n. 1876.

Walter Kittredge. Walter Kittredge's Original Song Book.  Manchester, NH: John B. Clarke. 1882.

Selected Scores

Adam and Eve:   See "The Good Old Days of Adam and Eve."

The Batchelor's Lament

"The Batchelor's Lament; or, Scenes in the Life of Nobody." Lyrics: author unknown. Music: J. J. Hutchinson. First line of text: "Returning home at close of day." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1848.

• Ever since the invention of the spell-checker, this song has been known as  "The Bachelor's Lament; or, Scenes in the Life of Nobody."

The Battle Cry of Freedom

"The Battle Cry of Freedom: Rallying Song." Lyrics and music: Geo. F. Root. First line of text: "Yes we'll rally round the flag." First line of chorus: "The Union forever." Illinois: Root & Cady. 1861.

• "Battle Cry of Freedom" scores dated 1861, such as this one, seem to be anything but plentiful.  It presents George F. Root's original Rallying Song version of "Battle Cry of Freedom."  He wrote a second set of lyrics for his Battle Song version, which he thought would be best for singing when going into battle.  This is according to information kindly supplied by Polly Carder. [E-mail message, Polly Carder to Alan Lewis, September 5, 2005.]   Available information evidently points toward an 1862 origin for "The Battle Cry of Freedom," so the 1861 copyright date on at least one edition of the sheet music is a mystery.  Though I have not seen the score which is cited next, a library catalog's reference to an alternate set of lyrics therein is highly suggestive, to say the least, that the score includes both Rallying Song and Battle Song verses.  It would be more than a little surprising to learn otherwise.

The Battle Cry of Freedom

"The Battle Cry of Freedom." Lyrics and music: Geo. F. Root. First line of text: "Yes we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again." First line of chorus: "The Union forever." Alternate set of lyrics on page 2. Chicago: Root & Cady. 1862.

Blow On! Blow On! (The Pirate's Glee)

"Blow On! Blow On!: The Pirate's Glee." Lyrics: Arthur Morrill. Music: Benjamin F. Baker. First line of text: "Blow on! blow on! we love the howling." Boston: Geo. P. Reed. 1840.

• The lyricist noted, in connection with this score, as Arthur Morrill is almost certainly the same person who signed his name, on a paper in Item 114r, Ludlow Patton's Hutchinson Family Scrapbook, as Arthur Morrell.

The Bridge of Sighs

"The Bridge of Sighs." Lyrics: Thomas Hood. [Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group).] First line of text: "One more unfortunate Weary of breath, Rashly importunate, Gone to her death." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1846.

The Broken Band

"The Broken Band: Quartette." Lyrics: Eben E. Rexford. Music: Ira C. Stockbridge. First line of text: "When we gather in the twilight, And we sing the evening hymn." Boston: G. D. Russell & Company. 1867.

• "Composed by Ira C. Stockbridge, of the Hutchinsons."
• Following the 1867 death of his little daughter Nellie, Asa B. Hutchinson broke up his concert company, left High Rock, and moved west to become a Minnesota farmer.  The score, "The Broken Band," is dated 1867, making it something of a curiosity.  The song's composer, Ira C. Stockbridge, sang in the Tribe of Asa along with Brother Caleb's daughter, guitarist Susan M. Hutchinson, starting in 1864.  Evidently Stockbridge composed music for "The Broken Band" and arranged for its publication before Asa went out of the concert-giving business.  It would be interesting to know whether the Tribe of Asa ever toured with this song.

Camp Meeting Songs of the Florida Freedman

"Camp Meeting Songs of the Florida Freedman." Selected and arranged by Abby Hutchinson Patton. N[e]w York: William A. Pond & Co. 1870.

• These three camp meeting songs, collected by Abby Hutchinson Patton from the singing of Magnolia, Florida, freedmen, are "Don't Stay Away," "Pharaoh's Army," and "Wait a Little While."

Come Let Us Part

"Come Let Us Part." Lyrics: Eliza Cook. Music: Composer unknown. First line of text: "Come let us part with lightsome heart, Nor breathe one chiding sigh." First line of first chorus: "Then why not we as merry, merry be, Though this song be the last." No later than 1846.

• "Come Let Us Part" represents one of the greater frustrations in Hutchinson Family research.  The Hutchinsons' collected papers and published works at least twice report occasions when the composer of the music for this song was with them.  Yet those sources do not so much as even hint at the person's name.  Further, this study has not located a published source  -  or any other source  -  of the tune.  So we are left with a song which was important to the Hutchinson Family but that we cannot sing: at least we can't sing it the way they did.  If you know the name of the composer or if you know a source for the music and you would be willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link toward the bottom of the page.

Consider the Lilies

"Consider the Lilies: From Sabbath Melodies." The words selected from the Holy Scriptures. Music: R. Topliff. First line of text: "Is not the life more than meat and the body more than raiment?" Boston: Oliver Ditson. [1853].

• "Consider the Lilies"  was sung by Lillie C. Phillips from the 1870s at least into the 1890s.  She sang to the end of her life, and "Consider the Lilies" probably remained in her repertoire to the last.  Lillie was a member of John W. Hutchinson's concert troupe and a bit later she married John's son, Henry J. Hutchinson.
• Many of the songs we encounter when researching the Hutchinson Family fell out of favor at some point in the 19th century and, for the most part, stayed out of favor.  So, strange to say,  "Consider the Lilies"  was published lots more often in the 20th century than in the 19th.  Evidently it did a great deal more than merely stand the test of time.
• Robert Topliff (1793-1868) is reported in various sources to have been the "organist of Trinity Church, Southwark."

The Cot Where We Were Born

"The Cot W[h]ere We Were Born." [Lyrics: Author unknown.] Music: L. Heath. First line of text: "We stood upon the mountain height and view'd the valleys o'er." New York: Firth & Hall. 1843.

• The most readily available scores of "The Cot Where We Were Born" by Lyman Heath actually appear under the title, "The Cot Where I Was Born."  This alone could make most types of computerized information searches difficult.  Adding insult to injury are the facts that this score's title includes a key misspelling, and the name of the composer is given, unhelpfully, as L. Heath. But this score is available online at the Library of Congress' Music for the Nation site; and if you try really hard, you might even find it. Unfortunately, we cannot post a direct Web address because these Music for the Nation scores are somehow loaded into temporary  Web pages.

The Creed of the Bells

"The Creed of the Bells." Music: Asa B. Hutchinson. Lyrics: G. W. Bungay. First line of text: "How sweet the chime of Sabbath Bells! Each one its creed in music tells." In Asa B. Hutchinson. The Latest Musical Compositions of Asa B. Hutchinson, as Sung at the Concerts of the Hutchinson Family, "Tribe of Asa." [Chicago]: S.n. 1876.

• According to available information, "The Creed of the Bells" was Asa B. Hutchinson's best-loved original composition from the years following the Civil War.  An interesting history of "The Creed of the Bells" is included in "Our Singers," Leadville (CO) Daily Chronicle, July 2, 1879.

Darling Nelly Gray

"Darling Nelly Gray: Song and Chorus." Lyrics and music: B. R. Hanby. First line of text: "There's a low green valley on the old Kentucky shore." First line of chorus: "Oh! my poor Nelly Gray, they have taken you away." Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. 1856.

• The trio of Judson, John and Asa Hutchinson sang "Darling Nelly Gray" often, until that group's breakup in 1858.  The Hutchinson Family companies that followed continued singing this song into the 1860s.

Eight Dollars a Day

"Eight Dollars a Day." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. Music: J. J. Hutchinson. First line of text: "At Washington, full once a year do politicians throng." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1848.

• "Written and dedicated to the Congress of the U.S. by Jesse Hutchinson Jr."

Excelsior

"Excelsior." Lyrics: Henry W. Longfellow. Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). First line of text: "The shades of night were falling fast, As thro' an Alpine village pass'd." New York: Firth & Hall. 1843.

The Furnace Blast

"The Furnace Blast; or, Prohibited Song." Lyrics: J. G. Whittier. Music: John W. Hutchinson. First line of text: "We wait beneath the furnace blast." New York: Firth, Pond & Co. 1862.

• I have never seen this score and, in fact, I didn't even know there was one until late 2006.  "The Furnace Blast" was sung to the tune, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which is also commonly called "Luther's Hymn."  Possibly attribution of the music to John W. Hutchinson may refer to him creating a distinctive arrangement.

Gentle Annie

"Gentle Annie: Ballad." Lyrics and music: Stephen C. Foster. First line of text: "Thou wilt come no more, gentle Annie, Like a flower thy spirit did depart." First line of chorus: "Shall we never more behold thee, never hear thy winning voice again." New York: Firth, Pond & Co. 1856.

Get Off the Track

"Get Off the Track!: A Song for Emancipation." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. Tune: "Old Dan Tucker." Boston: Published by the author. 1844.

The Ghost of Uncle Tom

"The Ghost of Uncle Tom." [Lyrics: Adapted from Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.] Music: Martha Hill. First line of text: "De Fader ob de waters, rolls His deep and muddy tide." First line of chorus: "Knock! Knock! Knock! When de hour ob midnight come." New York: Horace Waters. 1854.

The Good Old Days of Adam and Eve

"The Good Old Days of Adam and Eve."  Fragment: "I can but grieve, The times have changed since Adam and Eve."

• This song is probably lots better known as simply "Adam and Eve."  But at present, at least, that would place this entry at the head of alphabetical order; and I am not about to begin a bibliography of scores with a query rather than a score citation.  "Adam and Eve" was sung by both Joshua Hutchinson and his friend and frequent singing partner, Walter Kittredge.  This song presents exactly the opposite of our usual problem.  The tune is quite well known.  In this case, we do not know the lyrics  the two sang to the familiar tune.  And also, we don't know whether Joshua Hutchinson and Walter Kittredge sang the same verses as each other.  If you know the "Adam and Eve" lyrics sung by either or both of these men and you would be willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link near the bottom of the page.

Good Old Days of Yore

"Good Old Days of Yore: Song of Home." Lyrics: Jesse [Hutchinson, Jr.]. Music: Judson [J. Hutchinson]. First line of text: "How my heart is in me burning, And my very soul is yearning." Boston: G. P. Reed & Co. 1850.

• The Hutchinson Family sang "The Good Old Days of Yore," but so did the Alleghanians.  Sometime in the late 1860s or early 1870s, the concert repertoire of the Alleghanians was given a major overhaul.  But at least two songs by Jesse Hutchinson, Jr., were kept.  One of these pieces was "Right Over Wrong," which the Alleghanians called "Behold, the Day of Promise Comes."  The other Jesse song the Alleghanians continued singing, when so much else from the group's early days was discarded, is "The Good Old Days of Yore."  It is quite possible the Alleghanians sang this song more often than the Hutchinsons did.

Grandfather's Clock

"Grand-father's Clock: Song and Chorus." Lyrics and music: Henry C. Work. First line of text: "My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf." First line of chorus: "Ninety years, without slumbering (tick, tick, tick, tick)." New York: C. M. Cady. 1876.

• Asa B. Hutchinson was one of the great fans of the songs of Henry Clay Work, judging by Tribe of Asa concert programs.  Yet, strange to say, "Grandfather's Clock" has not been noted as a prominent feature in Asa's concerts.  It would be interesting to know whether he or members of his family sang this song at all.  John W. Hutchinson, by comparison, quickly picked up "Grandfather's Clock," and the song remained a conspicuous part of his concert programs over the next few years.

Hannah's at the Window Binding Shoes

"Hannah's at the Window Binding Shoes." [Lyrics: Lucy Larcom.] Music: Asa B. Hutchinson. First line of text: "Poor, lone Hannah! Sitting at the window binding shoes." Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. 1859.

Horticultural Wife

"Horticultural Wife."  "Written by a celebrated English Gardener after disappointment in love." Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). First line of text: "She's my myrtle, my geranium, my sunflow'r[,] my sweet marjoram." Boston: G. P. Reed & Co. 1850.

A Hundred Years Hence

"A Hundred Years Hence." Lyrics: Fannie Gage. Music: John W. Hutchinson. First line of text: "One hundred years hence what a change will be made." Cleveland: S. Brainard's Sons. 1869.

• Full title:   "A Hundred Years Hence: A Very Desirable Song for the Conservatives Who Pray for a Procrastination of the Millennial Day."
• The next score citation notes the reissuing of "A Hundred Years Hence" in 1934 with new lyrics.

A Hundred Years Hence

"A Hundred Years Hence." Original lyrics: "Auntie Fannie Gage" [Frances D. Gage]. New lyrics: Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Music: John W. Hutchinson. First line of original text: "One hundred years hence what a change will be made." First line of new text: "A hundred years hence there'll peace in the world." S.l.: S.n. 1934.

• "A Hundred Years Hence" was republished in 1934, both with the original Fanny Gage lyrics and with new verses written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935), in connection with the Ninth Conference on the Cause and Cure of War, January 17, 1934.  For information about the occasion, see "'War Utter Futility,' Says Mrs. Roosevelt," New York Times, Thursday, January 18, 1934, page 3.  "Mrs. Roosevelt," as one might imagine, refers to Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of then-President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt.  It is known from information kindly supplied by Prestonia Mann Martin scholar Enid Mastrianni that Charlotte Perkins Gilman and John W. Hutchinson were acquainted.  Gilman, for instance, took part in a small New York City meeting of Fabian socialists at which John Hutchinson sang.

If I Were a Voice

"If I Were a Voice." [Lyrics: Charles Mackay.] Music: Judson [J. Hutchinson]. First line of text: "If I were a voice, a persuasive voice, That could travel the wide world through." Boston: G. P. Reed & Co. 1850.

If I Were a Voice: An Historical Opera

If I Were a Voice: An Historical Opera. Private Voices on a Public Stage: The Hutchinson Family of Singers, 1840-1860.  By Daniel Thomas Davis. 2004.

I'm With You Once Again

"I'm With You Once Again: A Popular Song." Lyrics: George P. Morris. Music: William R. Dempster. First line of text: "I'm with you once again, my friends, No more my footsteps roam." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1843.

Jamie's on the Stormy Sea

"Jamie's on the Stormy Sea: Ballad." Lyrics: author unknown. Music: Bernard Covert. First line of text: "Ere the twilight bat was flitting, In the sunset, at her knitting." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1847.

Johnny Sands

"Johnny Sands: A Celebrated Comic Ballad." [Lyrics: Adapted from traditional sources.] Music: John Sinclair. First line of text: "A man whose name was Johnny Sands Had married Betty Hague." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1842.

Jordan:   See "Slavery Is a Hard Foe To Battle."

Kind Words Can Never Die

"Kind Words Can Never Die: Ballad." [Lyrics: "M."] Music: Sister Abby [Abby Hutchinson Patton]. First line of text: "Bright things can never die, E'en tho' they fade, Beauty and minstrelsy Deathless were made." New York: Horace Waters. 1855.

• "From the Bird who left the nest."
• A "duett and chorus" version of "Kind Words Can Never Die" credits the song's lyrics to "M."  Do you know the name of "M"?  If you do and you would be willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link near the bottom of the page.

King Alcohol

"King Alcohol: A Comic Temperance Glee." [Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr.] Tune: "King Andrew" [tune also known as "Dame Durden"]. First line of text: "King Alcohol has many forms, by which he catches men." Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1843.

Kingdom Coming

"Kingdom Coming: Song and Chorus." Lyrics and music: Henry C. Work. First line of text: "Say, darkeys, hab you seen de massa." First line of chorus: "De massa run? ha, ha." Chicago: Root & Cady. 1862.

The Lament of the Irish Emigrant

"The Lament of the Irish Emigrant: Ballad." Lyrics: Mrs. Price Blackwood [Helen Selina (birth name Sheridan) Blackwood]. Music: William R. Dempster. First line of text: "I'm sitting on the stile Mary, Where we sat side by side." Boston: Geo. P. Reed. 1843.

The May Queen

"The May Queen: Cantata in Three Parts." Lyrics: Alfred Tennyson. Music: William R. Dempster. Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1845.

• Evidently Abby J. Hutchinson seldom if ever performed the third part of "The May Queen."

The Old Granite State

"The Old Granite State: A Song."  [Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr.]   [Tune: "The Old Church Yard."] First line of text: "We have come from the mountains, We have come from the mountains, We have come from the mountains Of the Old Granite State."  Boston: Oliver Ditson. 1843.

Old High Rock

"Old High Rock." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson [Jr.]. Music: Judson J. Hutchinson. First line of text: "In the state of Massachusetts, in the good old town of Lynn." Boston: S. W. Marsh. 1847.

• Though "Old High Rock" is a fine song, to the best of my knowledge the Hutchinsons did not normally sing it in concert. They did sing this piece at family functions such as birthday parties and reunions. And John W. Hutchinson sang it at a big 1896 labor demonstration in Lynn, Massachusetts. In making this song selection, no doubt John was most mindful of the "Old High Rock" lines, "Believing in the promises That all the sons of toil Have an equal right and title To the products of the soil."

One Hundred Years Hence:   See "A Hundred Years Hence."

The Pauper's Funeral

"The Pauper's Funeral." Lyrics: Thomas Hood. Music: J. J. Hutchinson. First line of text: "There's a grim [one-]horse hearse in a jolly round trot." New York: C. Holt Junr. 1845.

• Though this score credits the "Pauper's Funeral" lyrics to Thomas Hood, about half the sources I have seen attribute them to Thomas Noel, importantly including the standard poetry reference, Granger, in the edition (1918) used in this study.

The People's Advent

"The People's Advent: A New Quartette for the Times." Lyrics: Gerald Mass[e]y. Music: James G. Clark. First line of text: "'Tis coming up the steep of Time, And this old world is growing brighter." Refrain: "'Tis coming, O! yes 'tis coming." Chicago: H. M. Higgins. 1864.

• Much that has been written about "The People's Advent" could be taken to mean that John W. Hutchinson composed an original musical setting for this song, but he identified the actual composer by last name  -  Clark  -  in a program for a concert given late in 1905. See "A Delightful Musical Recital," Hutchinson (MN) Leader, October 20, 1905, p. 1 col. 3.  John's contribution to "The People's Advent," in addition to singing and popularizing it, probably involved creating, with his son Henry, a distinctive arrangement of it as a duet.  "The People's Advent" surely was John's most popular song in the decades following the Civil War, and Henry J. Hutchinson's reputation as a concert singer was largely built on his performances of this work.

Right Over Wrong

"Right Over Wrong: Coming Right Along: Song and Chorus." Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). Lyrics: Jesse [Hutchinson, Jr.]. First line of text: "Behold the day of promise comes Full of inspiration." First line of chorus: "The good time, the good time, the good time's coming on." New York: Horace Waters. 1855.

• Though the "Right Over Wrong" melody is officially credited to the Hutchinson Family on the published score, the tune was actually the work of Judson J. Hutchinson.  See the caption by Ludlow Patton above "Coming Right Along; or, Right Over Wrong," s.l.: s.n., n.d., in Item 73r, Ludlow Patton's Hutchinson Family Scrapbook, Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, New Hampshire.

Ruth, the Moabitess

"Ruth, the Moabitess: A Dramatic Cantata."  By J. Astor Broad. Boston: White, Smith & Co. 1875.

• Henry Hutchinson and his wife, Lillie Phillips Hutchinson (the former Lillie C. Phillips), performed "Ruth, the Moabitess" in the late 1870s and into the 1880s. Evidently this piece meant a lot to Lillie, as she was still performing "Ruth" in the mid-1880s after Henry died.

The Ship on Fire!

"The Ship on Fire!: A Descriptive Scena." Lyrics: Charles Mack[a]y. Music: Henry Russell. First line of text: "The storm o'er the ocean flew furious and fast, And the waves rose in foam at the voice of the blast." New York: Atwill. [1840].

Slavery Is a Hard Road To Travel

"Slavery Is a Hard Foe To Battle." Adapted by Judson J. Hutchinson, from Daniel D. Emmett's "Jordan Is a Hard Road To Travel." First line: "I look'd to the South, and I look'd to the West, And I saw old Slavery a comin'." First line of first chorus: "Then take off coats, boys, roll up sleeves, Slavery is a hard foe to battle." New York: Horace Waters. 1855.

• Though this Judson J. Hutchinson parody is consistently known by the name, "Jordan," don't go looking for it in the "J" section of any sheet music collection.
• Do you know of a library that owns this score?   If you do and you would be willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link near the bottom of the page.  I am aware of broadsides of "Jordan" in library holdings.  But all I know of the sheet music comes from documentation in a classic book on the subject of blackface minstrelsy by  -  not incidentally  -  one of the earliest Hutchinson Family scholars:  Hans Nathan, Dan Emmett and the Rise of Early Negro Minstrelsy (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1962), 223 n. 32.  Worldcat searches turn up broadsides.  They also turn up a cassette recording which lists this title, though the Worldcat records are not quite detailed enough for us to be certain that this is Judson's song without further information.  The record is: Peter Janovsky and Linda Ferri, Winners & Losers: Campaign Songs From the Critical Elections in American History, cassette, Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways 37260, 1992.  Evidently the score of "Jordan" is not among the holdings of any Worldcat member institution; or, perhaps, it is not yet catalogued.
• "Jordan" had its origins in national events of February 1854.  The lyrics name public figures who were in the news at the moment and who had been in the news for some time.  They are United States Senator Stephen A. Douglas, United States Senator Edward Everett, Irish patriot John Mitchel, President of the United States Franklin Pierce.  It bears repeating that the singers' brother, Benjamin Pierce Hutchinson, almost certainly was named after a brother of President Franklin Pierce.

A Song for Ohio

"A Song for Ohio." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). Boston: G. P. Reed. 1850.

• I have known about "A Song for Ohio" for decades, but it was not until late 2006 that I first learned it had been published as a score.

The Song of Labor

"The Song of Labor." Lyrics: Frances D. Gage. Music: Composer unknown. First line: "I love the banging hammer, The whirring of the plane." First line of chorus: "Ho! brothers, shout! brothers, In the cheerful call." No later than 1852.

• "The Song of Labor," sometimes for some reason called "The Voice of Labor," is a piece that Joshua Hutchinson and the Alleghanians had in common.  It seems to have originated in 1851 or 1852, with the earliest dated references to it, so far, coming from early 1852.  If you know where the melody may be found or even the name of the composer and you would be willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link toward the bottom of the page.

The Song of the Shirt

"The Song of the Shirt." Lyrics: Thomas Hood. Music: Hutchinson Family (Vocal Group). [First line of text: "With fingers weary and worn, With eyelids heavy and red."] New York: Ch. Holt, Jr. 1847.

• The Hutchinson Family's musical setting of "The Song of the Shirt" originated in 1845.

The Spider and the Fly

"The Spider and the Fly: A Popular Song." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. Music: Arranged and adapted by S. O. Dyer. First line of text: "Will you walk in to my parlour, said the Spider to the Fly." New York: Ch. Holt, Jr. 1847.

There Must Be Something Wrong

"There Must Be Something Wrong." Lyrics: B. L. F.   Music: I. B. Woodbury. First line of text: "When earth produces, free and fair, The golden waving corn; When fragrant fruits perfume the air, And fleecy flocks are shorn." Boston: S. W. Marsh. 1847.

• Though Judson and John and members of their families sang "There Must Be Something Wrong," this song was most thoroughly identified, by far, with their older brother, Joshua Hutchinson.

There's a Meeting Here Tonight!

There's a Meeting Here Tonight!. By the Circle of Song touring troupe of The Revels musical theater company of Boston. Continuing series of stagings, 2004 to present and beyond.

Uncle Sam's Farm

"Uncle Sam's Farm: Song and Chorus." Lyrics: Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. [Music: Judson J. Hutchinson.] First line of text: "Of all the mighty nations In the east or in the west." First line of chorus: "Then come along, come along, make no delay." Portland [ME]: A. Robinson. 1850.

• Several printed broadsides of "Uncle Sam's Farm" present the verses as sung to the minstrel show tune, "Walk in de Parlor and Hear de Banjo Play."  Most of these broadsides are undated and probably undatable.  At least one gives the variant title, "Walk Into the Parlour, Boys, and Hear the Banjo Play."   "Uncle Sam's Farm" was written in 1848, but the earliest score I have seen is dated 1850.  So it seems entirely possible and even likely that some of these broadsides were issued before the first score.  The melody that Judson J. Hutchinson wrote for "Uncle Sam's Farm" is quite similar to the minstrel tune and was probably adapted from it.  Strange but great to say, "Uncle Sam's Farm," sung to "Walk in de Parlor and Hear de Banjo Play," was recorded and released on a vinyl LP, which has since been reissued on the compact disc The Hand That Holds the Bread: Songs of Progress and Protest in the Gilded Age 1865-1893.  By Cincinnati's University Singers; Earl Rivers, Director. CD. New York: New World Records 80267-2. 1978, 1997.

We're With You Once Again:   See "I'm With You Once Again."

The Witches Glee

"The Witches' Glee: From the First Scene in MacBeth." Lyrics: Shakespeare. Music: M. P. King. First line of text: "When shall we three meet again." London: J. Balls and Son. Improved edition. 1840.

• This piece is also known as "When Shall We Three Meet Again (The Witches Glee)."  This title is noted as part of the Hutchinson Family's early repertoire in Dale Cockrell's Excelsior, but it is not mentioned in Carol Brink's Harps in the Wind.  It is uncertain how often the group sang this song.  But "The Witches' Glee" represents a little different spicing in the young Hutchinsons' concerts, and it is well worth listing here.

For a more extensive bibliography of scores of songs sung by the Hutchinson Family, visit:

www.oocities.org/hfsbook/hoff/score01.htm

Many people who visit these pages already may be familiar with a current piece of musical theater about the Hutchinson Family called There's a Meeting Here Tonight!.  There was a much earlier script written by a well-known theatrical stage manager,  Ernestine Perrie,  in connection with the project which took its most tangible form with the release of the vinyl LP, There's a Good Time Coming.  If you know the title of the Perrie script or other details, or if you know where a copy of the script may be found, and you are willing to share your information, please e-mail us by way of the contact link which appears toward the bottom of the page.

Selected Recordings

Homespun America.  By the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Eastman Chorale under direction of Donald Hunsberger and Robert DeCormier. 2-CD VoxBox. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Vox Music Group CDX 5088. 1993.

• The Hutchinson Family songs on Homespun America  are "Calomel," "Don't Stay Away," "Excelsior," "Get Off the Track," "King Alcohol," "The Old Granite State," "The Pauper's Funeral," "Uncle Sam's Farm," and "The Vulture of the Alps," to which is added "Crossing the Grand Sierras" which the Hutchinsons "may well have had in their repertoire" but I have seen no evidence that they actually did.

The Hutchinson Family Singers: Enchanting Songs From America's Extraordinary Musical Heritage.  By the Hutchinson Family Singers, Inc. Cassette. Minneapolis, MN: Hutchinson Family Singers, Inc. 1986.

• The singers on this recording are George Berglund as John Hutchinson, Wayne Dalton as Asa Hutchinson, Bill Rollie as Judson Hutchinson, Judy Sjerven as Abby Hutchinson, and Linda Steen as Rhoda Hutchinson.

Roots and Resurgence.  By the Hutchinson Family Singers of the Old Granite State. CD-R. S.l.: S.n.  N.d.  Burned from a tape originally issued in the late 1980s by the Hutchinson Family Singers of the Old Granite State.

• The singers on this recording are Deborah Ackerman, Mary Kay Atkins, Ailin Barron, Barbara Douglas, Lawrence Douglas, William Eley, Gary McCool, Donald Towle, Evelyn Towle, Mary Vaiden, and Robert Waldman.

There's a Good Time Coming and Other Songs of the Hutchinson Family.  Vocal quintet and instrumental quartet, James Weaver, musical director. Vinyl LP. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Collection of Recordings  N 020. 1979.