Finding Sheet Music in the Public Domain
For many musicians, covering existing songs can be a source of inspiration—take something old and make it new again. So, a database of sheet music of songs that are in the public domain could be a treasure trove for a musician. The Music and Recorded Sound Division at the Library for the Performing Arts preserves a wealth of musical scores and sheet music, including both popular songs and tunes forgotten by time. Our librarians can help musicians locate sheet music in the public domain in our archive to play, riff off, and share.
Since 2022, any composition made 96 years ago is currently in the public domain, and the clock goes forward each following year on January 1. This year, in 2024, anything made in or before 1928 is fair game. So what does that include? In the Music and Recorded Sound Division, we have over many thousands of scores of music in the public domain.
And, all musicians are welcome to record a public domain song for the Public Song Project from WNYC and All Of It with Alison Stewart—musicians who send in their song may be featured on the radio!
Below are just a few examples of what you could find in our archive.
Mack the Knife by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht
“Mack the Knife." Music and Recorded Sound Division.
“Mack the Knife,” or in German, “Moritat,” was composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama The Threepenny Opera. Inspired by the medieval murder ballad performed by strolling minstrels, the song has since been translated into English for American audiences, and covered by artists including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, and Frank Sinatra who worked with Quincy Jones.
Got Myself Another Jockey Now by Andy Razaf and Fats Waller
Music and Recorded Sound Division.
Fats Waller, known as a pianist and composer whose innovative style made a huge impact on modern jazz, also wrote several Broadway musicals. Waller wrote many of his songs with his writing partner, Andy Razaf, and together they wrote Keep Shufflin’ for Broadway. "Got Myself Another Jockey Now," is one of the songs from that production.
Button Up Your Overcoat by B.G. De Sylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson
"Button Up Your Overcoat." Music and Recorded Sound Division.
The musical Follow Thru opened at Chanin's 46th Street Theatre in New York City on January 9, 1929. Though mostly forgotten today, the song “Button Up Your Overcoat” (originally sung by Zelma O’Neal and a pre-Wizard of Oz Jack Haley) has persisted as a popular standard today, nearly a hundred years later. The cast also included a pre-Hollywood Eleanor Powell.
There’s a Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder by Al Jolson, Billy Rose, and Dave Dreyer
"There’s a Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder." Music and Recorded Sound Division.
“There’s a Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder” was one of several songs that was sung by Al Jolson in his second feature film, The Singing Fool.
I’d Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Be Happy With Somebody Else), words by Billy Rose, music by Fred Fisher
"I’d Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Be Happy With Somebody Else)." Music and Recorded Sound Division.
The recent Broadway revival of the musical Funny Girl has reminded people of the career of Fannie Brice. Although her first starring film, My Man, is a lost film, many of its songs have remained well-known. Barbra Streisand sang “I’d Rather Be Blue” in the film version of Funny Girl.
Finding More Music in the Archive
Although The New York Public Library has many thousands of songs, the database is not organized by year of copyright. The Research Catalog can be useful for locating some of what we have. When you go to the catalog chose Advanced Search, then in the Keyword space put the title of the song in quotes, and select the format “Notated music.” You may also wish to include a date range, with the date ending in 1928.
Be aware that many public domain songs are published in collections that are dated after 1928. In general, so long as the copyright notice at the bottom of the first page of a song gives the date as 1928, the song is public domain.
If you don't find what you're seeking, the Library may still have the item you are looking for! Email us and we will help you with your search.
Ready to Record?
If you're looking for a state-of-the-art place to record your song for free, check out facilities across many branches at The New York Public Library!
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Midtown Manhattan has recording studios for teens and adults. There are also dedicated studios for adults at Allerton, and Tremont, and studios specifically for teens at branches Parkchester, Mott Haven, Grand Concourse.