CBest Known Public Domain SongsC List of 151
IMPORTANT: This list is based on USA Copyright Law and is intended only as a help in researching public domain music. This list is NOT sufficient documentation that music is in the Public Domain. To prove PD status in the USA, you MUST find a published copy of the song with a copyright date of 1926 or earlier. Our PD Sheet Music Reprints are exact reprints of books and sheet music published in 1926 or earlier and include music, lyrics, and complete original copyright information. Some of these songs may not be PD in countries other than the USA.
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| Title | V=Verse C=Chorus N=Note P=Production w=Words m=Music |
1 - 3 $5 ea 4 up $4 ea | |
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| Songs are on this PD list if we have a pre-1927 PD sheet music publication in our library AND if anyone has asked about PD status of the song in the past 20 years. | |||
| Cabbage-Leaf Rag Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Cactus Rag Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Caissons Go Rolling Patriotic |
1908 - w.m. Edmund L. Gruber V - Over hill over dale we have hit the dusty trail, As our caissons go rolling along. C - For it's Hi! Hi! He! In the field artillery, Shout out your numbers loud and strong.! N - U.S. Army Official Song | PD Reprint | |
| Cake Walk in the Sky Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Calico Rag Popular Song |
PD Reprint | ||
| California Popular Song |
1922 - w.m. Cliff Friend, Con Conrad V - California let me speak my mind. I've been waiting for a long long time. I've got a sneaky feeling I'll be stealing To your bright and sunny clime. C - My California, Hear your lonesome boy calling. Honest I ain't a-stalling. I want to come home. Just head me crying. | PD Reprint | |
| California Here I Come Popular Song |
1924 - w.m. Joseph Meyer, Al Jolson, Bud DeSylva P - Bombo - 1921, Broadway Musical V - When the wintry winds are blowing; And the snow is starting in to fall, Then my eyes turn westward knowing, That's the place I love the best of all. C - California, here I come. Right back where I started from. Where bowers of flowers bloom in the sun. Each morning at dawning, Birdies sing an' ev'ry thing. | PD Reprint | |
| Call Me Up Some Rainy Afternoon Popular Song |
1910 - w.m. Irving Berlin V - Nellie Green met Harry Lee At a masquerade the other night C - Call me up some rainy afternoon, I'll arrange for a quiet little spoon | PD Reprint | |
| Call Of The South Popular Song |
1924 - w.m. Irving Berlin P - Music Box Revue 1925 | PD Reprint | |
| Calvary Spiritual |
V - Every time I think about Jesus, C - Calvary..... Calvary, Calvary..... Calvary.... | PD Reprint | |
| Cam' ye by Atholl Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Campbells Are Comin' Traditional |
1745 - Traditional Scots | PD Reprint | |
| Campin' on de Ole Suwanee Traditional |
Lee Orean Smith | PD Reprint | |
| Camptown Races Popular Song |
1850 - Stephen Collins Foster V - De Camptown ladies sing dis song Doo-dah! doo-dah! De Camptown race-track five miles long. Oh! doo-dah day! C - Gwine to run all night! Gwine to run all day! I'll bet my money on de bobtail nag, Somebody bet on de bay. | PD Reprint | |
| Can Can Galop from Orphee Aux Enfers Classical |
1858 - m. Jacques Offenbach (1819 - 1880)
N - |
PD Reprint | |
| Can't Yo' Heah Me Callin' Caroline Popular Song |
1914 - m. Caro Roma, w. William H. Gardner | PD Reprint | |
| Can't You See I'm Lonely Popular Song |
1905 - m. Harry Armstrong, w. Felix Feist | PD Reprint | |
| Can't You Take It Back And Change It For A Boy? Popular Song |
1911 - w.m. Thurland Chattaway | PD Reprint | |
| Canaday-I-O Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Canadian Capers Popular Song |
1915 - w.m. Gus Chandler, Bert White, Harry Cohen | PD Reprint | |
| Cannon Ball Ragtime, Music Hall |
1905 - m. Joseph Northrup N - Two Step | PD Reprint | |
| Cannon Ball Blues Popular Song |
1926 - m. Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton (1890-1941) | PD Reprint | |
| Caprice Viennois Popular Song |
m. Fritz Kreisler | PD Reprint | |
| Capricio Espagnol Traditional |
1888 - Rimsky-Korsikov | PD Reprint | |
| Captain Ginjah Traditional |
F. W. Leigh | PD Reprint | |
| Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines Traditional |
Pratt | PD Reprint | |
| Car-Barlick-Acid Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Careless Love | See Loveless Love | ||
| Carolina In The Morning Popular Song |
1922 - m. Walter Donaldson (1893-1947), w. Gus Kahn (1886-1941) | PD Reprint | |
| Carpet Rags Ragtime, Music Hall |
1903 - m. Raymond W. Conner N - March and Two Step | PD Reprint | |
| Carrie (Marry Harry) Popular Song |
1909 - m. Albert Von Tilzer, w. Junie McCree | PD Reprint | |
| Carry Me Back To Old Virginny Popular Song |
1878 - w.m. James A. Bland V - Carry me back to old Virginny, There's where the cotton and the corn and taters grow. There's where the birds warble sweet in the springtime, There's where this old darkey's heart am long'd to go. | PD Reprint | |
| Cascades Traditional |
1904 - Scott Joplin | PD Reprint | |
| Casey Jones Popular Song |
1909 - m. Eddie Newton, w. T. Lawrence Seibert V - Come all you rounders if you want to hear a story about a brave Engineer. Casey Jones was the Rounders name On a six eight wheeler boys he won his fame. C - Casey Jones! mounted to the cabin. Casey Jones with his orders in his hand. Casey Jones mounted to the cabin and he took his farewell trip to that Promised land. | PD Reprint | |
| Casey Would Waltz with the Strawberry Blonde | See The Band Played On | ||
| Castle Doggy Traditional |
James Reese Europe N - Fox Trot | PD Reprint | |
| Cat Came Back Traditional |
1893 | PD Reprint | |
| Cataract Rag Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Cecilia Popular Song |
1925 - w. Herman Ruby, m. Dave Dreyer V - Little Miss Cecilia Green, Little over sweet sixteen, But the cutest flapper that you've every seen. C - Does your Mother know you're out Cecilia! Does she know that I'm about to steal you. | PD Reprint | |
| Champagne Charlie Traditional |
c1868 - w. George Leybourne, m. Alfred Lee | PD Reprint | |
| Champagne Rag Traditional |
Joseph Lamb | PD Reprint | |
| Chanticleer Rag Popular Song |
1910 - m. Albert Gumble, w. Edward Madden | PD Reprint | |
| Charge of The Light Brigade Instrumental, Keyboard |
1900 - m. E. T. Paull N - March | PD Reprint | |
| Charlatan Patriotic |
1897 - m. John Philip Sousa | PD Reprint | |
| Charleston Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Cecil Mack (1873-1944), James P. (Jimmy) Johnson (1894 - 1955) P - Runnin' Wild - 1923, Broadway V - Carolina, Carolina, At last they're got you on the map, With a new tune, Funny blue tune, With a peculiar snap! C - Charleston! Charleston! Made in Carolina, Some dance, Some pruacm I'll say, There's nothing finer than the Charleston, Charleston | PD Reprint | |
| Charleston Gals Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Charley, My Boy Popular Song |
1924 - w.m. Gus Kahn, Ted FioRito | PD Reprint | |
| Charmaine Popular Song |
1926 - w.m. Erno Rapee, Lew Pollack | PD Reprint | |
| Chatterbox Rag Traditional |
1910 - George Botsford | PD Reprint | |
| Chaw roast beef Traditional |
1859 | PD Reprint | |
| Cheatin' On Me Popular Song |
1925 - w. Jack Yellen, m. Lew Pollack | PD Reprint | |
| Cheer Up, Mary Popular Song |
1906 - w.m. Jack Kendis, Harry Armstrong | PD Reprint | |
| Chelsea Reach Traditional |
1665 | PD Reprint | |
| Cherie Popular Song |
1921 - m. Irbing Bibo, w. Leo Wood | PD Reprint | |
| Cherie, I Love You Popular Song |
1926 - w.m. Lillian Rosedale Goodman | PD Reprint | |
| Chester Traditional |
1778 - William Billings N - Colonial Marching Song | PD Reprint | |
| Chevy Chase Ragtime, Music Hall |
Eubie Blake | PD Reprint | |
| Chicago Breakdown Popular Song |
1926 - m. Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton (1890-1941) | PD Reprint | |
| Chicago, That Toddlin' Town Popular Song |
1922 - w.m. Fred Fisher V - I got a gal, I got a pal, I got a chance, I got a dance, waiting for me. I'm goin' to make, right to the lake, There with the boys, in Illinois, I'll want to be. C - Chicago, Chicago, That todd'ling town, That todd'ling town. Chicago, Chicago, I'll show you around. I love it | PD Reprint | |
| Chicken Reel Popular Song |
1910 - m. Joseph M. Daly, w. Joseph Mittenthal | PD Reprint | |
| Child In The Manger Folk Song |
m. Irish Traditional, w. Mary MacDonald V - Child in the manger! Infant of Mary; Outcast and stranger, Lord of all! Child who inherits All our transgressions, All our demerits on Him Fall! N - Morning Has Broken lyrics were published in 1931 and are NOT in the public domain. | PD Reprint | |
| Chili Bean Popular Song |
1920 - m. Albert Von Tilzer, w. Lew Brown V - In the land of Eenie meenie minie mo, Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! not long ago Lived a girl named Chili, and the fellows loved her so C - Oh! You lean and lanky Chili Beanie eenie minie mo. You know we love you so. We love your ja da, um ta da da | PD Reprint | |
| Chime Again Beautiful Bells Children |
Sir Henry Bishop V - Chime again, chime again, beautiful bells. Now thy soft melody floats on the wind | PD Reprint | |
| Chin Chin Chinaman Traditional |
1896 | PD Reprint | |
| China Boy Popular Song |
1922 - w. Phil Boutelje, m. Dick Winfree | PD Reprint | |
| Chinatown My Chinatown Popular Song |
1910 - m. Jean Schwartz, w. William Jerome V - When the town is fast asleep, And it's midnight in the sky C - Chinatown, my Chinatown, Where the lights are low | PD Reprint | |
| Chong, He Come From Hong Kong Popular Song |
1919 - w.m. Harold Weeks | PD Reprint | |
| Chop Sticks Traditional |
1877 - m. Arthur de Lulli, Pseudonym of Euphemia Allen (1861 - 1949) N - a.k.a. The Celebrated Chop Waltz published as duet and solo. This famous duet is likely among the most recognized musical works ever published. | PD Reprint | |
| Chorus Jig Traditional |
1849 | PD Reprint | |
| Christians Awake Christmas, Holiday |
1750 - m. John Wainwright, w. John Byron V - Christians, awake, salute the happy morn Whereon the Savior of the world was born. Rise to adore the mystery of love Which hosts of angels chanted from above, | PD Reprint | |
| Christmas Day Popular Song |
1910 - m. Gustav Holst | PD Reprint | |
| Christmas Day in the Morning Children |
V - Dame get up and bake your pies, bake your pies, on Christmas day in the morningt | PD Reprint | |
| Christmas Tree Children |
1800s - German V - O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how faithful are thy leaves, N - German O Tannenbaum, tr. The Fir Tree | PD Reprint | |
| Christopher Robin Is Saying His Prayers Popular Song |
m. H. Fraser-Simson , w. A.A. Milne V - Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed, Droops on the little hands little gold head, Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares! Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. | PD Reprint | |
| Chrysanthemum Traditional |
Scott Joplin | PD Reprint | |
| Cincinnati Hornpipe Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Ciribiribin Popular Song |
1909 - m. Alberto Pestalozza, w. Rudolf Thaler V - When through vale and dale I'm wand'ring; Only one name follows me, And while list'ning to its rhythm To my ear 'tis melody C - Ciribiribin, a name of mystery that in my heart doth lie, Ciribiribin, It echoes constantly as days and nights roll by. | PD Reprint | |
| Clair De Lune - Suite Bergamasque Classical |
1905 - Claude Debussy N - Music Only, No Lyrics | PD Reprint | |
| Clap Yo' Hands Popular Song |
1926 - w. Ira Gershwin, m. Georgia Gershwin P - Oh, Kay! | PD Reprint | |
| Cleanin' Up in Georgia Traditional |
Harry P. Guy | PD Reprint | |
| Clementine | See Oh My Darling Clementine | ||
| Cleopha Traditional |
1902 - Scott Joplin | PD Reprint | |
| Climbing Up the Golden Stair Traditional |
1884 - Emma Booth-Tucker (1860-1903) V - O my heart is full of music and of gladness, As on wings of love and faith I upward fly. C - O, I'm climbing up the golden stair to glory N - Favorite Song of The Salvation Army. | PD Reprint | |
| Climbing Up The Ladder Of Love Popular Song |
1926 - w. Raymond Klages, m. Jesse Greer P - Earl Carroll's Vanities | PD Reprint | |
| Close Your Eyes Popular Song |
1925 - w. Larry Yoell, m. Charles Vincent | PD Reprint | |
| Clyde's Water Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Coal Black Mammy Popular Song |
1921 - m. Ivy St. Helier, w. Laddie Cliff | PD Reprint | |
| Coal Black Rose Traditional |
1827 | PD Reprint | |
| Coasts of High Barbary Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Coaxing the Piano Traditional |
1922 - Zez Confrey | PD Reprint | |
| Cobbler's Hornpipe Traditional |
1701 | PD Reprint | |
| Cockles and Mussels Traditional |
1750 N - a.k.a. Molly Malone | PD Reprint | |
| Cohen On The Telephone Popular Song |
1914 - w. Joe Hayman | PD Reprint | |
| Cold Icy Hand | See Death's Going to Lay His Hand on Me | ||
| Cole Smoak Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Colin's Cattle Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Collegiate Popular Song |
1925 - w.m. Moe Jaffe, Nat Bonx | PD Reprint | |
| Colonel Bogey March Popular Song |
1916 - m. Kenneth J. Alford N - March used in 1957 Movie, Bridge on the River Kwai | PD Reprint | |
| Colorado Popular Song |
1924 - w. Walter Hirsch, m. Harold A. Dellon | PD Reprint | |
| Colored Major Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Columbia the Gem of the Ocean Patriotic |
1843 - m. Thomas a Becket, w. David T. Shaw V - O Columbia, the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free. C - . . . When borne by the red, white, and blue N - Also possible British origin, "Britannia, the Pride of the Ocean" | PD Reprint | |
| Combination March Ragtime, Music Hall |
1896 - m. Scott Joplin (1867 - 1917) | PD Reprint | |
| Come After Breakfast, Bring 'Long Your Lunch Popular Song |
1909 - w.m. James T. Brymn, Chris Smith, Jim Burris | PD Reprint | |
| Come Along My Mandy Popular Song |
1910 - w.m. Tom Mellor, Alfred J. Lawrence, Harry Gifford P - Jolly Bachelors - 1910, | PD Reprint | |
| Come Back to Erin Popular Song |
1866 - Claribel | PD Reprint | |
| Come Back to Sorrento Traditional |
1904 | PD Reprint | |
| Come Down, Ma Evenin' Star Popular Song |
1902 - m. John Stromberg, w. Robert B. Smith | PD Reprint | |
| Come Haste to the Wedding Folk Song |
Traditional Irish V - Come haste to the wedding, ye friends and ye neighbors, The lovers their bliss can no longer delay C - Come see rural felicity, which love and innocence ever enjoy N - a.k.a.Rural Felicity, Haste to the Wedding | PD Reprint | |
| Come Lasses and Lads Children |
Old English V - Come, lasses and lads, get leave of your dads, And away to the Maypole hie, For every fair has a sweetheart there, And the fiddler's standing by. N - a.k.a. Come Lassies and Lads | PD Reprint | |
| Come Let's Be Merry Traditional |
1727 | PD Reprint | |
| Come On Spark Plug Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Billy Rose (1899-1966), Con Conrad (1891-1938) V - The horses at the post! They're off and running neck and neck. Ev'ry one's a nervous wreck! Who's showing all that speed? What's that blanket that I see; Who else could it be. C - Come on you Spark Plug. I'm praying 'whoa! giddy-ap, giddy-ap, don't lose. Baby needs a pair of shoes.' | PD Reprint | |
| Come Out Of The Kitchen, Mary Ann Popular Song |
1917 - w.m. James Kendis, Charles Bayha V - Mary Ann was a picture fan But she worked hard all day. Washing dishes, still she had wishes To star in a photo play C - Come out of the kitchen Mary darlin', Come out of the kitchen Mary Ann. Why waste your time cooking Irish stew When Mary Pickford and Theda Barra will step aside for you. | PD Reprint | |
| Come Take A Trip In My Airship Popular Song |
1904 - m. George Evans, w. Ren Shields | PD Reprint | |
| Come Thou Almighty King Hymn |
1885 - m. F. Giardini, w. C.Wesley | PD Reprint | |
| Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Hymn |
1885 - Wyeth | PD Reprint | |
| Come to the Moon Popular Song |
1919 - m. George Gershwin, w. Ned Wayburn, Lou Paley V - Hello ev'rybody, I have come to take you back with me To a land of liberty C - Come to the moon, I'll lead the way to Spoonland There earthly troubles vanish like bubbles | PD Reprint | |
| Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming Traditional |
1855 - Stephen Collins Foster V - Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming, During the happy hours away, In visions bright redeeming, The fleeting joys of day. | PD Reprint | |
| Come Ye Disconsolate Traditional |
Webbe | PD Reprint | |
| Come, Josephine, in My Flying Machine Popular Song |
1910 - m. Fred Fisher, w. Alfred Bryan | PD Reprint | |
| Comin' Thro' the Rye Traditional |
1796 - w. ed Robert Burns, m. unknown | PD Reprint | |
| Comrades, I Am Dying! Patriotic |
1864 - w. Manahan, m. Sontag | PD Reprint | |
| Concerto for Piano #2 Traditional |
1901 - Rachmaninoff | PD Reprint | |
| Cooper o'Fife Traditional |
Traditional Scots | PD Reprint | |
| Copenhagen Popular Song |
1924 - w. Walter Melrose m. Charlie Davis V - Way down in Old New Orleans You will find shoulder shakin' queens And when they roll their eyes You wake up in paradise. C - Professer man won't you play Copenhagen 'cause that's one tune sure has got me runnin' wild. Nobody knows how that tune burns up my clothers So Hey Hey Hey Syncopate all night long. | PD Reprint | |
| Coronation March Traditional |
1849 - Meyerbeer | PD Reprint | |
| Cossack Love Song [Don't Forget Me] Popular Song |
1925 - w. Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II, m. Herbert Stothart, George Gershwin P - Song of the Flame | PD Reprint | |
| Cotton Bolls Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Cotton Eyed Joe Jig,Reel,Fiddle Tune |
Traditional Fiddle Tune V - Hol' my fiddle an' hol' my bow, Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe. Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe. N - PD source for words ONLY. We cannot find a 1922 or earlier publication of the music. | PD Reprint | |
| Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray Spiritual |
V - In the valley . . . with my burden! . . . An' my Saviour! . . . C - An' I couldn't hear nobody pray. O way down yonder by myself I couldn't hear nobody pray. | PD Reprint | |
| Country Club Traditional |
1909 - Scott Joplin | PD Reprint | |
| Country Gardens Traditional |
c1728 - m. Collected by Cecil Sharp (1859 - 1924) N - English Morris Dance Tune | PD Reprint | |
| Coventry Carol Christmas, Holiday |
1500s - w.m. English Traditional Carol V - Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by lully, lullay. | PD Reprint | |
| Covered Wagon Days Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Will Morrissey (1887-1957), Joe Burrowes P - Covered Wagon - 1923, Silent Movie V - In the days of 'forty-nine', There was no one who'd decline, The call out West where all the best of fortune seemed to shine. C - Old covered wagon days. Gold draggin' in their ways. Your deeds in history play Parts that grip the hearts of our nation. | PD Reprint | |
| Cradle Song - Brahms Children |
Johannes Brahms V - Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight, With lillies bedecked is baby's wee bed. Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blest . . . | PD Reprint | |
| Cradle Song - Weber Children |
Weber V - Sleep, my heart's darling, in slumber repose. Let the fair lid o'er those blue eyes now close; | PD Reprint | |
| Crazy Blues Popular Song |
1920 - w.m. Perry Bradford V - I can't sleep at night I can't eat a bite 'Cause the one I love He don't treat me right. It makes me feel so blue I don't know what to do. C - 'Cause my love has been refused. So now I got the Crazy Blues. | PD Reprint | |
| Crazy Bone Rag Traditional |
1913 - Charles L. Johnson | PD Reprint | |
| Creole Belles Ragtime, Music Hall |
1901 - m. J. Bodewalt Lampe N - March Two-Step | PD Reprint | |
| Crimson Banner College |
1905 - m. Charles N. Daniels N - Harvard University March | PD Reprint | |
| Crinoline Days Popular Song |
1922 - w.m. Irving Berlin | PD Reprint | |
| Cross Your Heart Popular Song |
1926 - w. Bud DeSylva, m. Lewis E. Gensler P - Queen High | PD Reprint | |
| Crown Him With Many Crowns Hymn |
m. G. J. Elvey, w. M. Bridges | PD Reprint | |
| Cry Baby Blues Popular Song |
1921 - w. Sam Lewis and Joe Young, m. George W. Meyer V - Youy're the baby I've been calling my own. Oh! me, Oh! my. You're about the meanest baby I've known. C - Cry Baby Blues. You're gonna cry baby. Cry Baby Blues just means good bye baby. | PD Reprint | |
| Cuban Moon Popular Song |
1920 - m. Joe McKiernan, w. Norman Spencer | PD Reprint | |
| Cuckolds All in a Row Traditional |
1650 | PD Reprint | |
| Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine Popular Song |
1908 - m. Karl Hoschna, w. Otto Harbach | PD Reprint | |
| Cum-Bac Rag Traditional |
PD Reprint | ||
| Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich, And You! Popular Song |
1925 - w. Al Durbin, Billy Rose, m. Joseph Meyer | PD Reprint | |
| Curse of an Aching Heart Popular Song |
1913 - m. Al Piantadosi, w. Henry Fink | PD Reprint | |
| Cutty Wren Traditional |
Welsh Folk Song V - 'O Where Are You going?' says Milder to Maulder; 'O I cannot tell' says Festel to Fose; 'We're going to the woods' says John the Red Nose | PD Reprint | |
| Cyclone in Darktown Traditional |
George D. Barnard | PD Reprint | |
