What Is a Songwriter?
Introduction
Songwriting is a foundational activity in the music industry, but its professional role is often misunderstood. While the act of writing a song may appear informal or personal, songwriting operates within a structured system of rights, ownership, and compensation. Those systems determine how songs are controlled, licensed, and monetized long after they are written.
As music distribution has shifted from physical formats to digital platforms, the underlying frameworks governing songwriting have remained largely intact. Copyright law, publishing practices, and collective rights management continue to define how songwriters participate in the music economy. New technologies, including AI-assisted creation tools and automated rights management systems, have not replaced these structures but have increased the consequences of errors in authorship and documentation.
Understanding what it means to be a songwriter, therefore, requires more than creative context. It requires familiarity with how songs are recognized as intellectual property, how rights are assigned and administered, and how income is distributed throughout the industry. This guide approaches songwriting from that perspective.
Table of Contents
Learning Objectives
By the end of this guide, readers should be able to:
- Define the role of a songwriter as a legal author of a musical composition
- Distinguish between compositions and sound recordings for copyright and licensing purposes
- Understand how historical developments shaped modern songwriter rights and compensation
- Identify how copyright law applies to musical compositions, including fixation, ownership, and duration
- Recognize common modern songwriting workflows and how they affect authorship and credit
- Explain how ownership splits and attribution are determined and documented
- Understand how songwriter rights are managed through publishing and administration
- Identify major songwriter revenue streams and the types of uses that generate them
- Recognize common issues that disrupt rights management and royalty collection
- Apply practical tools to assess, document, and manage songwriter rights accurately
Overview
A songwriter is the author of a musical composition. This includes the melody, harmonic framework, and, where applicable, the lyrics of a song. These elements together form a composition that exists independently of any specific recording, performance, or production.
Within the music industry, several distinctions are essential. A lyricist writes only the words of a song, while a songwriter typically contributes both words and music. A recording artist performs and records songs, but may not have written them. Copyright law also recognizes separate layers of protection: the composition copyright, generally owned by the songwriter and or publisher, and the sound recording copyright, usually owned by the performing artist and or record label.
Songwriting today commonly involves collaboration. Co-writing sessions, toplining, and producer-led writing are standard practices across many genres. These workflows affect how songs are created and credited, but they do not change the legal status of the composition or the rights attached to it.
This guide examines the songwriter’s role in both historical and modern contexts. It explains how songwriter rights developed, how copyright applies to compositions, how publishing and administration function, and how songwriters earn income from different uses of their work.
Early Songwriting and Copyright
The role of the songwriter developed alongside the commercialization of music. As songs moved from live performance into printed, recorded, and broadcast formats, legal and business structures emerged to define who owned songs and how creators were compensated. These early systems continue to shape songwriting today, even as technology and creative workflows have changed.
Early Commercial Songwriting
In the nineteenth century, songwriting became a recognizable profession in the United States as sheet music publishing expanded. Stephen Foster is often cited as one of the first widely successful American songwriters, with compositions such as “Oh! Susanna” and “Camptown Races” reaching mass audiences. Despite this success, Foster sold many of his works outright for modest fees and retained little long-term control or income. His experience is frequently referenced as an early example of how creative success did not guarantee financial security without legal protections or business leverage.
Copyright Law and the Emergence of Mechanical Royalties
The U.S. Copyright Act of 1909 marked a turning point for songwriters by formally recognizing mechanical reproduction rights. This legislation established that songwriters and publishers were entitled to royalties when compositions were mechanically reproduced, including on piano rolls and phonograph records. The concept of mechanical royalties became foundational to how songwriters are paid for copies of their work and remains relevant in modern digital distribution.
Performing Rights Organizations and Collective Licensing
As radio broadcasting expanded in the early twentieth century, the public performance of songs became a major source of value. In 1914, composers and publishers formed the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) to license public performances and distribute royalties to songwriters. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) was founded in 1941 as an alternative organization, followed later by SESAC and Global Music Rights. These organizations created a collective licensing system that still governs how performance royalties are tracked and paid.
Tin Pan Alley and the Publisher-Led Model
From the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century, Tin Pan Alley in New York City functioned as the center of the American songwriting and publishing industry. Songwriters were often employed by publishers to produce compositions that were then pitched to performers. In this model, artists commonly recorded songs written by others, and publishers played a dominant role in controlling song catalogs and revenue.
The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter
Beginning in the 1960s, the distinction between songwriter and performer began to narrow. Artists such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell demonstrated that performers could also be primary authors of their material while achieving commercial success. This shift altered audience expectations and industry practices, making artist-written material the norm in many genres. While the publisher-led model did not disappear, it was no longer the only viable path for songwriters.
Contemporary Songwriting Roles
By the late twentieth century and into the present, songwriting roles became increasingly fluid. Collaborative writing sessions, producer-led songwriting, and cross-genre teams became common in pop, hip-hop, country, and other styles. Today, it is routine for a single individual to act as songwriter, artist, and producer, or for multiple contributors to share authorship. Although creative roles have blended, the legal distinction between composition and recording remains unchanged, reinforcing the importance of clear credits, ownership splits, and rights administration.

Modern Songwriting Roles and Workflows
Songwriting in the modern music industry is defined by flexible creative roles and collaborative production methods. While the legal definition of a songwriter has remained stable, the way songs are created has expanded beyond traditional solo writing into a range of structured and informal workflows.
Solo Writing
Some songwriters continue to write complete compositions independently. This approach remains common in genres where personal authorship and stylistic consistency are central, such as folk and singer-songwriter traditions. In these cases, one individual typically develops the melody, lyrics, and structure of the song before any recording or production takes place.
Collaborative Writing Sessions
Collaborative songwriting is now standard across many genres, including pop, country, hip-hop, and electronic music. Multiple writers may contribute melodies, lyrics, or structural ideas during a single session. These sessions may take place in person or remotely and often involve contributors with different creative strengths.
Collaboration expands creative output but also increases the number of participants involved in the creation of a composition.
Track-Led Writing and Toplining
In track-led workflows, producers or beat makers create instrumental tracks first. Songwriters then add vocal melodies and lyrics, a process commonly referred to as toplining. This approach is especially common in pop and electronic music.
Toplining changes the order of creation but not the underlying definition of songwriting. A contribution qualifies as songwriting only if it involves original musical or lyrical expression that forms part of the composition.
Producer Participation in Songwriting
Producers frequently contribute musical elements that rise to the level of authorship, such as chord progressions, melodic motifs, or structural frameworks. As a result, producers may also be credited as songwriters.
While public-facing credits may blur creative roles, songwriting contributions remain distinct from production services for legal and administrative purposes.
Remote Collaboration and Digital Tools
Digital audio workstations, file-sharing platforms, and communication tools allow songwriters to collaborate across locations and time zones. These tools have increased efficiency and access but have also reduced the formality of the creative process.
Songs are often completed before contributors have discussed ownership, credits, or administrative follow-up, shifting those considerations to later stages.
AI-Assisted Creative Tools
Some songwriters use AI-assisted tools to generate ideas, explore melodic options, or draft lyrical material. These tools function as part of the creative process rather than as independent creators.
Their use reflects broader changes in how songs are developed, but does not alter the fundamental requirement that songwriting involves human creative decision-making.
Legal Identity and Copyright Scope
A songwriter’s legal identity is defined by authorship of a musical composition. That identity exists because copyright law recognizes compositions as protected intellectual property and assigns enforceable rights to their creators. These rights determine ownership, control, licensing, and income throughout the life of a song.
Governing Copyright Frameworks
Songwriter rights are shaped by a combination of national statutes and international agreements.
In the United States, the primary legal authority is the Copyright Act of 1976, codified in Title 17 of the U.S. Code. This law governs:
- What qualifies as a protected musical work
- When copyright protection begins
- What exclusive rights are granted to authors
- How long protection lasts
- How rights may be transferred or licensed
Earlier legislation, including the Copyright Act of 1909, introduced concepts that remain foundational, particularly mechanical reproduction rights. While the 1909 Act has been superseded, its influence persists in how mechanical royalties are structured today.
Internationally, songwriter rights are supported by the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, which the United States joined in 1989. Berne establishes that:
- Copyright protection arises automatically without registration
- Member countries must recognize foreign authors’ rights
- Minimum standards of protection apply across borders
These principles are critical in a global music industry where songs are exploited simultaneously in multiple territories.
What Copyright Protects for Songwriters
Copyright protection applies to the musical composition, not to a particular performance or recording. A composition consists of original expressive elements such as:
- Melody
- Harmony and chord structure
- Song form and arrangement as expressed musically
- Lyrics, where applicable
Ideas, styles, genres, or general musical concepts are not protected. Protection applies only to original expression fixed in a tangible form.
Fixation and Automatic Protection
Under U.S. law and Berne Convention principles, copyright protection begins when a composition is fixed in a tangible medium. Fixation may occur through:
- Written notation or lyric sheets
- Demo recordings or voice memos
- Digital session files created during songwriting
No publication, commercial release, or registration is required for protection to exist. However, unregistered works face practical limitations in enforcement.
Copyright Registration and Enforcement
In the United States, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is a prerequisite to filing an infringement lawsuit. Registration also provides:
- Eligibility for statutory damages and attorney’s fees if timing requirements are met
- A public record of authorship and ownership
- Evidentiary weight in disputes over creation or ownership
For professional songwriters, registration is widely treated as a necessary administrative step rather than an optional safeguard.
Ownership and Authorship Under the Law
Initial copyright ownership belongs to the author or authors of the composition. When multiple writers contribute original expression, the law generally treats the work as jointly authored, unless a written agreement states otherwise.
Key legal principles include:
- Joint authors share equal ownership by default
- Each joint owner may license the work non-exclusively, subject to accounting
- Ownership can be transferred or divided only by written agreement
These default rules explain why split agreements and written confirmations are standard industry practice.
Duration of Copyright Protection
The Copyright Act of 1976 establishes different terms based on authorship structure.
For individual authors:
- Protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years
For works made for hire or works owned by corporate entities:
- Protection lasts 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first
Duration directly affects long-term catalog value, estate planning, and rights reversion considerations.
Exclusive Rights Granted to Songwriters
Copyright law grants songwriters a bundle of exclusive rights related to their compositions, including the right to authorize:
- Reproduction of the composition
- Distribution of copies
- Public performance of the work
- Preparation of derivative works
- Display of lyrics where applicable
Most songwriter revenue is generated through licensing these rights rather than through direct sales of songs.
Relationship to Sound Recordings
Copyright law treats compositions and sound recordings as separate works with separate rights holders. A songwriter may control the composition while an artist or label controls the recording. This distinction affects licensing for:
- Film and television
- Streaming services
- Physical and digital reproductions
- Public performances
Understanding this separation is essential for avoiding licensing errors and payment disputes.
Human Authorship and AI-Assisted Creation
Current copyright law requires human authorship for protection. In the United States, works generated entirely by automated systems without human creative input are not eligible for copyright protection.
In practical terms:
- AI tools may assist the creative process
- Human creative decisions must be present to establish authorship
- Documentation of human contribution is increasingly important for registration and administration
This requirement does not replace existing frameworks but reinforces the need for clarity in modern workflows.
Copyright law underpins every commercial use of a song. Clear legal identity allows songwriters to:
- Enand administration agreements
- Receive accurate royalty distributions
- Resolve disputes efficiently
As music distribution becomes more automated and data-dependent, legal clarity has become more important, not less.
Ownership, Splits, and Attribution
Once a song has been created, questions of ownership and attribution determine how rights are controlled and how income is distributed. This section addresses how authorship is formalized after creation and how those decisions affect administration, licensing, and royalties.
Default Ownership in Jointly Written Songs
When multiple songwriters contribute original expression to a composition, the work is generally treated as a jointly authored work unless a written agreement states otherwise.
Under default legal rules:
- Each qualifying contributor is a co-owner of the entire composition
- Ownership shares are equal unless otherwise agreed
- Creative contribution is not weighed or ranked by the law
These defaults apply automatically and often surprise collaborators who assumed informal understandings would govern ownership.
Establishing Ownership Splits
Ownership splits specify the percentage of the composition owned by each songwriter. These percentages determine how publishing income and royalties are allocated.
Splits may be:
- Equal among all contributors
- Unequal based on negotiated agreement
- Defined by prior contractual relationships
Regardless of method, splits only have effect when they are clearly agreed upon.
Split Sheets and Written Agreements
Split sheets document ownership percentages and authorship information. They typically include:
- Legal names of songwriters
- Ownership percentages
- Publishing affiliations
- Date of creation
These records form the basis for copyright registration, publishing administration, and royalty processing. Without them, administrators must rely on incomplete or conflicting information.
Ownership Versus Public Credit
Ownership and public credit are not the same.
- Ownership determines control and income
- Attribution determines how authorship is displayed publicly
A songwriter may receive income without public credit or receive public credit without retaining ownership. Ghostwriting arrangements are one example where attribution and ownership diverge.
From an administrative standpoint, ownership data always governs, regardless of how credits appear publicly.
Metadata and Royalty Distribution
Ownership information must be translated into accurate metadata for use by publishers, administrators, and rights organizations. Metadata errors are a leading cause of unpaid or misallocated royalties.
Critical metadata elements include:
- Songwriter identities
- Ownership percentages
- Publisher details
- Rights organization affiliations
Automated royalty systems rely on this data to function correctly.
Licensing Authority and Accounting
Each joint owner of a composition typically has the right to grant non-exclusive licenses, subject to a duty to account to co-owners. This structure allows songs to be licensed efficiently but places responsibility on rights holders to track usage and payments.
Disputes frequently arise when licenses are granted without shared understanding of ownership or accounting obligations.
AI and Ownership Clarity
AI-assisted workflows increase the importance of ownership clarity. While AI tools do not qualify as authors, uncertainty around human contribution can delay registration, licensing, or royalty processing.
Clear identification of human authors and agreed ownership splits remains essential, regardless of the tools used during creation.
Ownership and attribution decisions directly affect copyright registration, publishing agreements, royalty collection and payment, licensing approvals, and dispute resolution, making documentation rather than intent the determining factor in whether creative work generates value.
How Songwriter Rights Are Managed
Once ownership of a composition is established, songwriter rights must be exercised through structured management. Rights management refers to the practical work of ensuring that compositions are recognized, licensed, and monetized across the music industry. This work is typically handled by publishers, administrators, or a combination of both.
Registration of Compositions
Rights management begins with registering compositions with the organizations responsible for recognizing and tracking songwriter rights. These registrations connect a song to systems that license uses and distribute royalties. Registration establishes the presence of the composition within the industry’s operational infrastructure.
Licensing of Uses
Songwriter rights are exercised through licensing. Management entities issue licenses that authorize specific uses of a composition, such as reproduction, public performance, or synchronization with visual media. Each license defines the scope of use, territory, duration, and compensation. Licensing activity reflects how songwriter rights move from abstract ownership to practical use.
Royalty Collection
When licensed uses occur, royalties are generated through multiple channels. Management involves collecting these royalties from broadcasters, digital platforms, venues, and other licensees. Collection often takes place across different organizations and jurisdictions, each operating under its own reporting systems.
Royalty Distribution and Accounting
Collected royalties are distributed according to established ownership shares. Management entities reconcile incoming payments with registered ownership information and issue statements and payouts to rights holders. This function ensures that income generated by a composition is allocated correctly among its owners.
Monitoring and Claims Resolution
Not all song usage is reported accurately. Rights management includes reviewing reports and statements to identify missing or incorrect data and submitting claims where appropriate. This process helps align actual usage with recorded ownership and licensing information.
Territorial Coordination
Songwriter rights operate on a territorial basis. A composition used internationally may generate royalties under different legal and organizational systems in each country. Management often involves coordinating representation across territories so that rights are recognized and exercised locally.
Ongoing Administration
Rights management is not a one-time process. As songs continue to be used, management includes maintaining registrations, updating relationships, and overseeing licensing activity over time. This ongoing administration allows songwriter rights to remain active and enforceable throughout the life of the composition.
Revenue Streams for Songwriters
Songwriters earn income when their compositions are used in ways that trigger one or more of the exclusive rights granted under copyright law. Each revenue stream corresponds to a specific type of use and is collected through different mechanisms. Understanding these streams requires looking at how songs move through licensing and royalty systems rather than focusing on platforms alone.
Performance Royalties
Performance royalties are generated when a composition is performed publicly. This includes radio broadcasts, television airings, live performances, and streams on digital services that qualify as public performances.
These royalties are typically collected by performing rights organizations, which license performances on behalf of songwriters and publishers, monitor usage, and distribute income based on reported and sampled data. For many songwriters, performance royalties form a consistent source of recurring income over time.
Mechanical Royalties
Mechanical royalties are earned when a composition is reproduced. Historically, this applied to physical formats such as vinyl records and CDs. Today, mechanical royalties are most commonly associated with digital reproductions, including downloads and interactive streams.
In the modern market, mechanical royalties are often collected through specialized agencies or centralized licensing systems that receive usage data from digital platforms and distribute payments according to registered ownership information.
Synchronization Income
Synchronization income is generated when a composition is licensed for use with visual media. This includes film, television, advertising, video games, and online content.
Unlike performance and mechanical royalties, synchronization fees are typically negotiated directly and paid as one-time amounts. The fee depends on factors such as the type of use, duration, territory, and prominence of the song. Performance royalties may still be earned later when the visual content is broadcast or streamed.
Print Royalties
Print royalties arise from the reproduction of compositions in written form. This includes sheet music, lyric reprints, and educational materials.
While print income represents a smaller portion of overall songwriter earnings in the digital era, it remains relevant for certain genres, educational contexts, and legacy catalogs.
Grand Rights
Grand rights apply to the use of compositions in dramatic performances, such as stage musicals, operas, and ballets. These rights are licensed directly and are not handled through standard performance rights organizations.
Grand rights income is typically negotiated on a case-by-case basis and may include upfront fees, ongoing royalties, or both, depending on the production and agreement.
Micro-Uses and Emerging Licensing Categories
Some songwriter income comes from smaller or newer categories of use, such as lyric displays in apps, social media integrations, fitness platforms, or interactive media. These uses are often licensed under evolving frameworks and may generate income through a combination of direct licensing and collective management.
As new distribution formats emerge, these categories continue to develop, reinforcing the need for flexible rights management and accurate data.
Common Issues in Songwriter Rights Management
Even when songwriter rights are clearly defined under law, problems often arise in how those rights are handled in practice. These issues are rarely caused by a lack of protection. They result from gaps between creation, ownership confirmation, registration, and ongoing administration. Understanding where breakdowns occur helps explain why otherwise valid rights fail to produce expected outcomes.
Incomplete or Inconsistent Registrations
One of the most common issues is incomplete registration of compositions across the systems responsible for licensing and royalty distribution. A song may be registered with one organization but not others, or registered with partial or outdated information. When this happens, uses may be reported without a clear path for payment, leading to delays or unmatched income.
Conflicting Ownership Claims
Conflicts often arise when multiple parties submit differing ownership information for the same composition. This can occur when collaborators fail to confirm splits in writing or when later agreements contradict earlier understandings. Rights organizations and administrators typically suspend payments until conflicts are resolved, regardless of how long the dispute takes.
Late Registration and Missed Income
Registering a song after it has already been released or used can limit the ability to collect income retroactively. While rights exist from the moment of creation, many systems distribute royalties based on registered data at the time of use. Late registration increases the likelihood that some income will remain unclaimed or unrecoverable.
Publisher and Administrator Mismatches
Problems also occur when publisher information or administrative authority is inconsistent across platforms. A song may list different publishers in different territories, or an administrator may be authorized in one context but not another. These mismatches can interrupt licensing activity and delay royalty processing.
Territorial Gaps in Representation
International uses frequently expose gaps in rights management. If a composition lacks representation in certain territories, royalties generated there may not be collected efficiently. Sub-publishing and foreign administration exist to address this issue, but only when relationships are clearly established and maintained.
Changes Not Reflected in Ongoing Administration
Ownership transfers, publisher changes, or affiliation updates must be reflected across all relevant systems. When updates are made in one place but not others, conflicting records persist. Over time, these inconsistencies compound, making reconciliation more difficult.
Ambiguity in AI-Assisted Workflows
AI-assisted creation introduces additional risk when human authorship is not clearly documented. If it is unclear who contributed original expression, registration, and claims may be challenged or delayed. This issue does not arise from the use of AI itself, but from uncertainty around authorship attribution.
Disputes Triggered by Licensing Activity
Many issues remain dormant until a song is licensed for a prominent use. High-visibility placements often prompt closer scrutiny of ownership and authority. If discrepancies surface at that stage, licensing approvals may be delayed or withdrawn, affecting both income and relationships.
These issues illustrate that songwriter rights depend not only on legal recognition but on consistent execution over time. Most problems are preventable, but they require attention at multiple stages rather than a single corrective action. Addressing these risks early supports more reliable licensing, royalty flow, and long-term catalog management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes someone a songwriter under copyright law?
A songwriter is someone who contributes original musical or lyrical expression to a composition. This includes melody, harmony, and lyrics. Performance or production alone does not create songwriting authorship.
Does a song need to be released or registered to be protected?
No. Copyright protection begins when a composition is fixed in a tangible form. Registration is not required for protection to exist, but it is required to enforce rights through litigation in the United States.
Can multiple people own the same song?
Yes. When multiple songwriters contribute original expression, the composition is typically jointly owned unless a written agreement states otherwise.
What happens if ownership information is disputed?
When conflicting ownership claims are submitted, rights organizations and administrators generally suspend payments until the dispute is resolved. This can delay or prevent royalty distribution.
Do publishers automatically own songs they administer?
No. Ownership depends on the terms of the agreement. Some publishing deals involve a transfer of ownership, while administration arrangements typically do not.
How does AI affect songwriting copyright?
Copyright protection requires human authorship. AI tools may assist the creative process, but human creative decisions must be present for a composition to qualify for protection.
Key Takeaways
- A songwriter is the legal author of a musical composition, distinct from performers and producers.
- Songwriter rights are governed by copyright law and international agreements, not by industry custom alone.
- Ownership, splits, and attribution determine who controls rights and receives income.
- Publishing and administration relationships exist to manage rights across platforms and territories.
- Revenue streams correspond to specific licensed uses of a composition.
- Most problems in songwriter rights arise from inconsistent execution rather than a lack of legal protection.
Practical Resources
The following resources are designed to help readers apply the concepts covered in this guide. They focus on verification, documentation, and self-assessment rather than theory, and are intended to support accurate rights management after the songwriting process is complete.
Self-Check Questions
These questions are included to help readers test their understanding of songwriter rights and administration after completing the guide.
- Can I clearly explain the difference between a composition and a sound recording?
- Do I know which rights I own as a songwriter and which I do not?
- Could I identify who is authorized to license my compositions and in which territories?
- Do I understand how ownership splits affect royalty distribution?
- Would I recognize a situation where royalties might be delayed or unmatched?
- Could I explain how management and administration differ from ownership?
If any of these questions cannot be answered confidently, reviewing the relevant sections of the guide is recommended.
Downloads
- Songwriter Rights Self-Assessment Checklist (PDF) Download the checklist
- Ownership and Split Documentation Template (PDF) Download the template
References
Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. (1976).
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17
Copyright Act of 1909, Pub. L. No. 60-349, 35 Stat. 1075 (1909) (superseded).
https://www.copyright.gov/history/1909act.pdf
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Paris Act, 1971; as amended).
https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Berne Convention overview.
https://www.wipo.int/en/web/treaties/ip/berne/summary_berne
U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 50: Copyright Registration for Musical Compositions.
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ50.pdf
U.S. Copyright Office, Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition.
https://www.copyright.gov/comp3/
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), History of ASCAP.
https://www.ascap.com/about/history
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), BMI History.
https://www.bmi.com/about/history
SESAC Performing Rights, About SESAC.
Global Music Rights (GMR), About GMR.
https://globalmusicrights.com/about/
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), About the MLC.
Music Modernization Act of 2018, Title I: Musical Works Modernization Act, Pub. L. No. 115-264.
https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ264/PLAW-115publ264.pdf
Library of Congress, Stephen Foster and American Popular Song.
Library of Congress, Tin Pan Alley and Popular Music Publishing.
https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200197495/
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