IBest Known Public Domain SongsI List of 92
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. | |||
| I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None o' This Jelly Roll Popular Song |
1919 - w.m. Spencer Williams, Clarence Williams V - Lil' Willie Green from New Orleans a greedy boy was he, For he always wanted a lot a kids, Just to keep him company C - I ain't gonna give nobody none o' this jelly roll, I wouldn't give you piece o' cake to save your soul. My mama told me today When she went away To be a good boy . . . | PD Reprint | |
| I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares for Me) Popular Song |
m. Spencer Williams, Dave Peyton, w. Roger Graham V - Say, had a sweetheart once I loved, And I was happy as could be; But now he's gone and left me here For someone else, you see. C - I Ain't Got Nobody, And Nobody Cares for Me. That's why I'm sad and lonely. Say, won't you take a chance with me? N - Early publications credited words David Young, music Charles Wakefield which is believed to be in error. | PD Reprint | |
| I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger | See Pilgrim's Song | ||
| I Am the Captain of the Pinafore Traditional |
1878 - w. Gilbert, m. Sullivan | PD Reprint | |
| I Belong To Glasgow Popular Song |
1921 - w.m. Will Fyffe V - I've been wi' a few o' ma cronies, One or two pals o' ma ain. We went in a hotel, where we did very well, And then we came out once again. C - I belong to Glasgow, dear old Glasgow town! But what's the matter wi' Gasgow? For it's going round and round. | PD Reprint | |
| I Can't Be True So Far Away College |
1909 - m. Joseph E. Howard, w. Will M. Hough, Frank R. Adams P - Prince Of To-Night - 1909, V - Ev'ry dream sentimental night Makes me long for you C - I can't be awful true, dear, When you're so far away, I try to think of you dear, Think of you night and day. | PD Reprint | |
| I Can't Tell Why I Love You But I Do Popular Song |
1900 - m. Gus Edwards, w. Will D. Cobb V - On a summer's day in the month of May, a story sweet was toid, By a lonesome lad, With a heart grown sad, To a lass with a heart grown cold. C - I can't tell why I love you, but I do-oo-oo. This world is full of maids the same as you-oo-oo But something I can't tell, Seems to hold me in its spell . . . | PD Reprint | |
| I Cannot Sing the Old Songs Traditional |
Claribel | PD Reprint | |
| I Cried For You Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Arthur Free, Gus Anaheim, Abe Lyman V - I remember other days how I used to weep Over things yhou said to me I couldn't even sleep. You forgot your promises ev'ry single vow. All you did was laugh at me but things are diff'rent now. C - I cried for you, Now it's your turn to cry over me. Ev'ry road has a turning That's one thing you're learning, I cried for you, What a fool I used to be. | PD Reprint | |
| I Don't Want To Get Well Popular Song |
1917 - m. Harry Jentes, w. Harry Pease, Howard Johnson | PD Reprint | |
| I Don't Want to Play in Your Yard Popular Song |
1894 - m. Philip Wingate, w. H. W. Petrie V - Once there lived side by side, two little maids. Used to dress just alike, hair down in braids C - I don't want to play in your yard, I don't like you any more. You'll be sorry when you see me, sliding down our cellar door. You can't holler down our rain barrel, you can't climb our apple tree . . . | PD Reprint | |
| I Dreamt That I Dwelt in Marble Halls Traditional |
1843 | PD Reprint | |
| I Gave My Love a Cherry Traditional |
1850 V - I gave my love a cherry that has no stones, I gave my love a chicken that has no bones, I gave my love a ring that has no end. | PD Reprint | |
| I Just Can't Make My Eyes Behave Popular Song |
1906 - m. Gus Edwards, w. Will D. Cobb | PD Reprint | |
| I Love A Piano Popular Song |
1915 - w.m. Irving Berlin V - As a child I went wild when a band played, How I ran to the man when his hand swayed. Clarinets were my pets and a slide trombone I thought was simply divine. C - I love a piano, I love a piano, I love to hear somebody plan upon a piano, A grand piano, It simply carries me away. I know a fine way to treat a Steinway | PD Reprint | |
| I Love Life Popular Song |
1923 - m. Mana-Zucca, w. Irwin M. Cassel V - I want to live and drink of life's fullness, Take all it can give; I love life, Ev'ry moment count To glory in its sunshine And revel in its fount. | PD Reprint | |
| I Love My Baby Popular Song |
1925 - w. Bud Green, m. Harry Warren V - Talk about your famous love affairs, Romeo and Juliet had theirs. I just found someone and someone found me. We're not very famous, but who cares? C - I love my baby. My baby loves me. Don't know nobody as happy as we. She's only twenty and I'm twenty-one. We never worry, We're just havin' fun. | PD Reprint | |
| I Love You - Je T'aime! Popular Song |
1923 - m. Harry Archer, w. English: Harlan Thompson, French: Paul Combis P - Little Jessie James - 1923, Broadway V - Lovers always sing The same familiar thing, 'I love you', I love you, I do.' How nice it would be To do it deff'rently, But now that I'm singing to you: C - 'I love you, I love you', is all that I can say. 'I love you, I love you', the same old words I'm saying in the same old way. | PD Reprint | |
| I Love You So (Merry Widow Waltz) Popular Song |
1907 - m. Franz Lehar, w. Adrian Ross | PD Reprint | |
| I Love You Truly Popular Song |
1906 - w.m. Carrie Jacobs-Bond | PD Reprint | |
| I Miss My Swiss Popular Song |
1925 - w. L. Wolfe Gilbert, m. Abel Baer | PD Reprint | |
| I Never Knew [That Roses Grew] Popular Song |
1925 - w. Gus Kahn, m. Ted Fiorito | PD Reprint | |
| I Tisket I Tasket | See A-Tisket A-Tasket | ||
| I Used to Love You, But It's All Over Now Popular Song |
1920 - m. Albert Von Tilzer, w. Lew Brown V - I used to bless the day I first met you, I planned so many things for just us two. But now its plain to see that you have never cared for me. C - I used to love you, but its all over now, All over now, You know it's all over town that you threw me down, But you shouldn't let that kind of story go 'round. | PD Reprint | |
| I Want A Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad Popular Song |
1911 - m. Harry Von Tilzer, w. Will Dillon | PD Reprint | |
| I Want To Be Happy Popular Song |
1924 - w. Irving Caesar, m. Vincent Youmans P - No, No Nanette | PD Reprint | |
| I Want To Go Back To Michigan (Down On The Farm) Popular Song |
1914 - w.m. Irving Berlin N - a.k.a. Down on the Farm | PD Reprint | |
| I Want What I Want When I Want It Popular Song |
1905 - m. Victor Herbert, w. Henry Blossom | PD Reprint | |
| I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate Popular Song |
1922 - w.m. Armand J. Piron V - Went to a dance with my sister Kate, ev'ry one there said she danced so great C - I Wish I could Shimmy like my sister Kate, She shivers like the Jelly on a plate | PD Reprint | |
| I Won't Say I Will But I Won't Say I Won't Popular Song |
1923 - m. George Gershwin, w. B.G. De Sylva, Arthur Francis P - Little Miss Bluebeard - 1923, Broadway 1923-1924 V - You're a very naughty boy when you ask me for a kiss, I'm dismayed, A little bit afraid. C - I Won't Say I Will But I Won't Say I Won't! I don't say I doi but I don't say I don't! Kissing of any kind Never was on my mind. | PD Reprint | |
| I Wonder What's Become Of Sally? Popular Song |
1924 - w. Jack Yellen, m. Milt Ager | PD Reprint | |
| I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Popular Song |
1909 - m. Joseph E. Howard, Harold Orlob, w. Wil M. Hough, Frank R. Adams P - Prince Of To-Night - 1909, V - You have loved lots of girls in the sweet long ago, And each one has meant heaven to you You have vowed your affection to each one in turn, And have sworn to them all you'd be true; C - I wonder who's kissing her now, I wonder who's teaching her how, Wonder who's looking into her eyes, Breathing sighs, telling lies; | PD Reprint | |
| I'd Climb The Highest Mountain Popular Song |
1926 - w.m. Lew Brown, Sidney Clare | PD Reprint | |
| I'd Leave Ma Happy Home for You Popular Song |
1899 | PD Reprint | |
| I'd Love To Live In Loveland With A Girl Like You Popular Song |
1910 - w.m. W.R. Williams, Leon M. Block, Harry I. Alford | PD Reprint | |
| I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time Popular Song |
1920 - m. Albert Von Tilzer, w. Neville Fleeson V - I'm writing you dear, just to tell you, In September, you remewmber . . . C - I'll be with you in apple blosson time, I'll be with you to change your name to mine | PD Reprint | |
| I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise Popular Song |
1922 - m. George Gershwin, w. Ira Gershwin, Bud DeSylva P - Scandals - 1922, Musical V - All you preachers Who delight in panning the dancing teachers Let me tell you there are a lot of features Of the dance that carry you through C - I'll build a stairway to Paradise With a new step ev'ry day! I'm going to get there at any price Stand aside I'm on my way! | PD Reprint | |
| I'll Give You a Paper of Pins Children |
V - I'll give to you a paper of pins, For that's the way that love begins | PD Reprint | |
| I'll See You In My Dreams Popular Song |
1924 - w. Gus Kahn m. Isham Jones | PD Reprint | |
| I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen Popular Song |
1876 | PD Reprint | |
| I'm A Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird Popular Song |
1924 - w. Grant Clarke & Roy Turk m. George W. Meyer & Arthur Johnson | PD Reprint | |
| I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy | See The Yankee Doodle Boy | ||
| I'm Alabama Bound Ragtime, Music Hall |
1909 - Robert Hoffman N - Rag Time Two Step. NOT 1924 Alabamy Bound, Ray Henderson, Buddy Desylba, Bud Green which is NOT PD. | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Always Chasing Rainbows Popular Song |
1918 - m. Harry Carroll, w. Joe McCarthy V - At the end of the rainbow there's happiness, And to find it how often I've tried, But my life is a race, just a wild goose chase, And my dreams have all been denied. C - I'm always chasing rainbow, Watching for clouds drifting by. My schemes are just like all my dreams, Ending in the sky. | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Falling in Love with Someone Popular Song |
1910 - m. Victor Herbert, w. Rida Johnson Young | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles Popular Song |
1919 - m. John W. Kellette, w. James Kendis, James Brockman, Nat Vincent V - I'm dreaming dreams I'm scheming schemes I'm building castles high. They're born a new their days are few Just like a sweet butterfly. C - I'm forever blowing bubbles. Pretty bubbles in the air. They fly so high nearly reach the sky, Then like my dreams they fade and die. | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Goin' South Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Abner Silver, Harry Woods P - Bombo - 1921, Broadway Musical V - It's just an old time story, One that you've heard before, I left my mammy's fond caress To search the world for happiness. C - Yes, sir! I'm goin' South, Taste the sugar cane right in my mouth, All the world is sweet away down South Where I spent my happy days. | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Gonna Charleston Back to Charleston Popular Song |
1925 - w.m. Roy Turk, Lou Handman | PD Reprint | |
| I'm In Love Again Popular Song |
1925 - w.m. Cole Porter | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Just Wild About Animal Crackers Popular Song |
1926 - w.m. Fred Rich, Sam Coslow, Harry Link | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Just Wild About Harry Popular Song |
1921 - w.m. Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Nobody's Baby Popular Song |
1921 - w.m. Benny Davis, Milton Ager, Lester Santly V - I used to be my mother's baby, When I was near my Dad went wild C - I'm Nobody's baby, I wonder why, Each night and day I pray the Lord up above, Please send me down somebody to love | PD Reprint | |
| I'm On My Way To Mandalay Popular Song |
1913 - m. Fred Fisher, w. Alfred Bryan | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Sitting On Top of The World Popular Song |
1925 - w. Lewis & Young, m. Ray Henderson | PD Reprint | |
| I'm Sitting Pretty In A Pretty Little City Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Lou Davis, Henry Santly & Abel Baer V - There's no place like home, you never learn that til you roam. Ev'ry place I'd be that little home kept callin' me C - I'm sittin' pretty in a pretty little city down Georgia way. There are no angels near, But it seems like heaven here. | PD Reprint | |
| I've Been Working On The Railroad | See Levee Song | ||
| I've Got A Pain In My Sawdust Popular Song |
1909 - m. Herman Wade, w. Henry Warner | PD Reprint | |
| I've Got a Robe, You've Got a Robe | See Going to Shout All Over God's Heaven | ||
| I've Got Rings On My Fingers Popular Song |
1909 - m. Maurice Scott, w. R.P. Weston, F.J. Barnes | PD Reprint | |
| I've Got the Yes We Have No Bananas Blues Popular Song |
1923 - w. Lew Brown, m. James F. Hanley, Robert King V - Lately I've been off my nut. I keep hearing nothing but 'YES! We have no bananas'. And I'd like to find the guy Who composed that lullaby C - I've got the 'YES!' We have no banana blues. I've got the blues. And when I hear it, Oh! how I fear it.; It's just like hearing bad news. | PD Reprint | |
| If I Had My Way Popular Song |
1913 - m. James Kendis, w. Lou Klein V - I'd like to make your golden dreams come true, dear, If I only had my way. A paradise this world would seem to you, dear, If I only had my way. C - If I had my way, dear, forever there's be a garden of roses for you and for me, A thousand and one things, dear, I would do, Just for you, just for you. | PD Reprint | |
| If I Knock the L Out of Kelly Popular Song |
1916 - m. Bert Grant, w. Joe Young, Sam Lewis | PD Reprint | |
| If We Can't Be the Same Old Sweethearts Popular Song |
1915 - m. Jimmy Monaco, w. Joe McCarthy C - If We Can't Be the Same Old Sweethearts, We'll Just Be the Same Old Friends | PD Reprint | |
| If You Knew Susie Popular Song |
1925 - w.m. B.G. De Sylva V - I have got a sweetie known as Susie. In the words of Shakespeare she's a 'wow' C - If you knew Susie like I know Susie Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl. | PD Reprint | |
| If You Were The Only Girl in the World Popular Song |
1916 - m. Nat D. Ayer, w. Clifford Grey P - Bing Boys Are Here - 1916, V - Sometimes when I feel bad and things look blue, I wish a girl I had say one like you. C - If I were the only girl in the world, And you were the only boy, Nothing else would matter in world today. | PD Reprint | |
| Il Travatore Popular Song |
PD Reprint | ||
| In A Little Spanish Town Popular Song |
1926 - w. Sam Lewis, You Young, m. Mabel Wayne | PD Reprint | |
| In A Monastery Garden Popular Song |
PD Reprint | ||
| In Good Old New York Town Popular Song |
1899 - w.m. Paul Dresser | PD Reprint | |
| In My Merry Oldsmobile Popular Song |
1905 - m. Gus Edwards, w. Vincent Bryan | PD Reprint | |
| In Old Madrid Traditional |
Trotere | PD Reprint | |
| In Old New York | See The Streets of New York (In Old New York) | ||
| In Shadowland Popular Song |
1924 - w. Sam W. Lewis & Joe Young m. Ruth Brooks & Fred E. Ahlert | PD Reprint | |
| In the Bright Mohawk Valley Traditional |
1890's V - For they say from this valley you're going. We shall miss your sweet face and bright smile. You will take with you all the sunshine That has gladdened out hearts for a while. C - Fot the sake of the past, do not leave me. Do not hasten to bid me adieu! On, remain in this bright Mohawk Valley, With the fond heart that lives but for you. N - Only known PD version of 'Red River Valley'. | PD Reprint | |
| In the Evening By the Moonlight Popular Song |
1878 - w.m. James A. Bland V - In de ebening by de moonlight when dis darkies work was over, We would gather round de fire, 'till de hoecake it was done C - In de ebening by de moonlight, you could hear us darkies singing, In de ebning by de moonlight, you could hear de banjo ringing | PD Reprint | |
| In the Gloaming Children |
1877 V - In the gloaming little children say goodnight to mother dear | PD Reprint | |
| In The Good Old Summertime Popular Song |
1902 - m. George Evans, w. Ren Shields V - There's a time in each year that we always hold dear, Good old summer time; With the birds and the trees-es and sweet scented breezes, Good old summer time C - In the good old summertime, in the good old summertime. Strolling thro' the shandy lanes With your baby mine; You hold her hand and she holds yours . . . | PD Reprint | |
| In The Middle Of The Night Popular Song |
1925 - w. Billy Rose, m. Walter Donaldson | PD Reprint | |
| In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree Popular Song |
1905 - m. Egbert Van Alstyne, w. Harry H. Williams | PD Reprint | |
| Indian Love Call Popular Song |
1924 - w. Otto Harbach & Oscar Hammerstein II, m. Rudolf Friml P - Rose Marie V - So echoes of sweet love notes gently fall Thru the forest stillness, as fond waiting Indian lovers call! C - When I'm calling you-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo! Will you answer too-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo? That means I offer my love to you to be you own. N - a.k.a The Call | PD Reprint | |
| Indiana (Back Home Again In) Popular Song |
1917 - m. James.F. Hanley, w. Ballard MacDonald V - I have always been a wand'rer, Over land and sea. Yet a moonbeam on the water Casts a spell o'er me C - Back home again in Indiana, And it seems that I can see The gleaming candle light still shining bright Thru the sycamores for me | PD Reprint | |
| Indiana Moon Popular Song |
1923 - w. Benny Davis, m. Isham Jones V - Indiana Moon for you I'm pining. Pining ever since I went away. Pretty soon I'm gonna se you shining, For I'm going home today. C - Indiana Moon I miss you. Indiana Moon I'm blue. There's somebody there I long to kiss too, With a heart of love that's ever | PD Reprint | |
| Indianola Popular Song |
1917 - w.m. S.R. Henry, Domenico Savino | PD Reprint | |
| Integer Vitae College |
Fleming | PD Reprint | |
| Iola Popular Song |
1906 - m. Charles L. Johnson N - Intermezzo Two-Step. The chorus of Iola is the melody to the 1940 hit Playmates by Saxie Dowell. Charles L. Johnson sued and there was an out of court settlement. Playmates words were likely stolen from I Don't Want To Play In Y | PD Reprint | |
| Ireland Must Be Heaven, for My Mother Came From There Popular Song |
1916 - m. Fred Fisher, w. Joe McCarthy, Howard Johnson V - I've often heard my daddy speak of Ireland's lake and dells, The place must be like Heaven, if it's half like what he tells. C - Ireland must be Heaven, for an angel came from there. I never knew a living soul one half as sweet or fair. | PD Reprint | |
| Irish Washerwoman Traditional |
1792 - m. Traditional Irish Jig | PD Reprint | |
| It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' Popular Song |
1923 - w.m. Wendell Hall V - Oh! The night was dark and dreary, The air was full of sleet, The old man stood out in the storm, his shoes were full of feet. C - Oh! It ain't gonna rain no mo' no mo'. It ain't gonna rain no mo'. But how in the world can the old folks tell, It ain't a-gonna rain no mo'. | PD Reprint | |
| It Had To Be You Popular Song |
1924 - m. Isham Edgar Jones (1894-1956), w. Gus Kahn (1886-1941) V - Why do I do just as you say. Why must I just give you your way. Why do I sigh. Why don't I forget. It must have been something lovers call fate. C - It had to be you. It had to be you. I wander'd around And finally found The somebody who Could make me be true, could make me be blue. | PD Reprint | |
| It's A Long, Long Way to Tipperary Popular Song |
1912 - w.m. Jack Judge, Harry H. Williams | PD Reprint | |
| It's Nice to Get Up in the Morning Popular Song |
1913 - w.m. Harry Lauder V - O! ye'll never never never thrive lying in yer bed C - O, it's nice to get up in the morning when the sun begins to shine | PD Reprint | |
| Italian Street Song Popular Song |
1910 - m. Victor Herbert, w. Rida Johnson Young V - Ah! my heart is back in Napoli, Dear Napoli C - Zing, Zing, zizzy, zizzy,zing, zing, Boom, boom aye | PD Reprint | |
