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Although original sources of the melodies were not documented by The Autophone Co., there are some possible assumptions.
Within those cobs known as Norwegian Hymns
, there are two series of cobs which are found in ascending alphabetical order, namely #685 through #691 and #692 through #703. Since all of these titles may be found in the 1877 edition of Lindemans Koralbog, by Ludvig Mathias Lindeman
, and since the arrangements and title spellings are very similar, it is likely the original source. A later edition, with additions by Oluf Glasøe, was published in 1899. The existance of two alphabetical series suggests that they may have been added at two distinct times.
| Lindemans Koralbog (1877) | or, roughly translated: |
|---|---|
| Koralbog indeholdende de i Landstadts Salmebog forekommende melodier ordnede og harmoniserede af Ludv. M. Lindeman samt et anhang af melodier harmoniserede af komponister fra det 16de aarhundrede. ——— ved kongelig resolution af 15de december 1877 autoriseret til brug ved gudstjenesten i Rigets Kirker ——— Cappelens Forlag Kristiana 1891 | Chorus Book containing the recent melodies for Landstadt's Hymnal collected and harmonized by Ludv. M. Lindeman and also favorite melodies harmonized by composers from the 16th century. ——— according to royal decree of December 15, 1877, authorized for use with the quality services in High Churches ——— Cappelens Printing1) Oslo2) 1891 |
| Lindemans Koralbog (1899) | or, roughly translated: |
| Koralbog, indeholdende Melodier til Salmebog for Lutherske Kristne i Amerika, til Landstadts, Synodens og andre Salmeböger, udsatte for blandet Kor, Orgel eller Pianoforte. ——— Ludv. M. Lindemans Koralbog med et Tillæg samlet og ordnet af Oluf Glasøe. [Udgivet ester forlagskomiteens foranstaltning.] Augsburg Publishing House,3) Minneapolis, Minn. 1899. | Chorus Book, containing Music for Hymnal for Lutheran Christian [Church] in America, for Landstadts,4) Synodens5) and other Hymnals6), to be used for mixed Choir, Organ or Pianoforte. ——— Ludv. M. Lindeman's Chorus Book with an Addition collected and composed by Oluf Glasøe. [Published according to standards committee permission.] Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minn. 1899. |
Lindemans Koralbog hymn numbers
Comparison: Af Hoiheden oprunden er
Comparison: Af Dybsens Nod jeg raabe maa
Several Norwegian Hymns are not listed in the series above, namely #666 through #671. Since all of these titles may be found in the 1865 edition of Hendersons Koralbog, by Knud Henderson (1835-after 1924), and since the arrangements and title spellings are very similar, it is likely the original source.
Hendersons Koralbog title page
| Hendersons Koralbog (1887) | or, roughly translated: |
|---|---|
| Koral-bog, indeholdende Melodier for Salmer og aandelige Sange, tilligemed et Udvalg af “Anthems,” samt Musikskole som Veiledning til Sangøvelser. Envende betndelig forøgede Udgave ved Knud Henderson, Organist. ——— Chicago Scandinaven's Boghandel, 1887 | Chorus Book, containing Melodies for Songs and Sacred Song, together with a Selection of “Anthems,” plus Schoolmusic as Guidance for Song Instruction. Single complete enlarged Edition by Knud Henderson, Organist. ——— Chicago Scandinaven's Bookshop 1887 |
| Hendersons Koralbog (1918) | or, roughly translated: |
| Koralbog indeholdende Melodier for Salmer og aandelige Sange tilligemed et Udvalg af “Anthems” samt Musikskole som Veiledning til Sangøvelser ——— … Med Register over … Melodier til Salmer i den nye Landstads Salmebog samt den norske Synodes Tolvte Udgave Knud Henderson Organist Chicago John Anderson Publishing Co. Eiere Scandinavens Boghandel 1918 | Chorus Book containing Melodies for Songs and Sacred Song together with a Selection of “Anthems” plus Schoolmusic as Guidance for Song Instruction ——— … Along With an Index over … Melodies to Songs in the new Landstads Hymnal7) and the Norwegian Synods8) Twelfth Edition Knud Henderson Organist Chicago John Anderson Publishing Co. Eiere Scandinavens Bookshop 1918 |
Hendersons Koralbog hymn numbers
Within those cobs known as Swedish Hymns
, there are two series of cobs, namely #74 through #77 and #94 through #98. Since all of these titles may be found in the 1819 Års Koralbok (companion to the Svenska Psalm-Boken Af År 1819, otherwise known as the Wallinska psalmboken), the official hymn book in use until the 1937 edition, and since the arrangements are very similar, it is likely the original source. The existance of two series suggests that they may have been added at two distinct times.
| 1819 Års Koralbok | or, roughly translated: |
|---|---|
| Svenska Psalm-Boken Af År 1819 Öfversedd af J.H. Thomander och P. Wieselgren. Förenad Med Koral-Bok Och Svenska messan med körer för sopran-, alt-, tenor- och basröster. ——— Rock Island Ill. Augusta Book Concern | Swedish Hymnal Of Year 1819 Edited by J.H. Thomander and P. Wieselgren. Joined With Chorus Book And Swedish music with choral parts for soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. ——— Rock Island Ill. Augusta Book Concern |
1819 Års Koralbok hymn numbers
Comparison: Jag tackar dig, min högste Gud
There are great differences between the titles of the cobs and the song lyrics. In some cases, it appears that the cob titles were kept specifically vague, perhaps to allow association with multiple lyrics. For instance #74 - Lofsang (Song of Praise—Swedish) is commonly sung as “Jag tackar dig, min högste Gud!”, but there are also several other popular lyrics. Where a specific text is associated, the cob name is often shorter and more casual. For instance #94 - Jesus, Min Bäste Vän (Jesus, My Best Friend—Swedish) is really “Jesus Är Min Vän Den Bäste” (lit. trans. “Jesus is my friend, the best”). Or #95 - Jesus, Nadens Källa (Jesus, Well of Mercy—Swedish) is the title for the song which begins: “O Jesu Krist, du nådens brunn, Du livets rena källa!” (lit. trans. “O Jesus Christ, you pardon [the “mercy” of the cob title] well, you clean source [the “well” of the cob title] of life”).
Cob titles compared to song lyrics:
| Cob title | Song lyrics | literal translation |
|---|---|---|
| #74 - Lofsang (Song of Praise—Swedish) | Jag tackar dig, min högste Gud! | I thank you, my highest God! |
| #75 - Jul-Psalm (Christmas Hymn—Swedish) | Ljus av ljus, o morgonstjärna | Light by light, O Morning Star |
| #76 - Pask-Psalm (Easter Hymn—Swedish) | Jesus, djupa såren dina | Jesus, Your deep wounds |
| #77 - Midsommar-sang (Midsummer Hymn—Swedish) | Gud låter sina trogna här | God will keep the faithful |
| #94 - Jesus, Min Bäste Vän (Jesus, My Best Friend—Swedish) | Jesus Är Min Vän Den Bäste | Jesus is my friend, the best |
| #95 - Jesus, Nadens Källa (Jesus, Well of Mercy—Swedish) | O Jesu Krist, du nådens brunn | O Jesus Christ, you pardon [mercy] well, you clean source [well] of life |
| #96 - Min Kärlek Star till Gud Allena (My Love to God Alone—Swedish) | Allena Gud i himmelrik | God alone in heaven |
| #97 - Gläds, O Kristi Brud (Rejoice, O Bride of Christ—Swedish) | Gläd Dig, Du Kristi Brud | Rejoice, you bride of Christ |
| #98 - Paska är Kommen (Easter is Coming—Swedish) | Nu kommen är vår påskafröjd | Now comes our Easter joy |
There is a sequence of popular hymns of German origin which are curiously listed under the translations of their titles. Surely few persons would have known them by these names! Perhaps the titles were taken from a single unknown source? Many were popularized by Bach, and Max Reger (1873-1916) included all of these songs in 1914 his Dreissig kleine Choralvorspiele zu den gebräuchlichsten Chorälen (30 Short Chorale Preludes).
| German Name | Translation |
|---|---|
| Valet Will Ich Dir Geben | #604 - Thy Servant I Will Be |
| Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her | #605 - From Heaven I am Coming |
| Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele | #606 - Be Joyful, O My Soul |
| Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit | #607 - It is Now Time |
| Nun Danket Alle Gott | #608 - Thank Almighty God |
One popular hymnal of the era was Gospel Hymns Consolidated, Embracing Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4, Without Duplicates, for use in gospel meetings and other religious services — 1883, Biglow & Main, and John Church & Co. Due a discrepancy between the title and content of #750 - Jesus Loves Me, as associated with this hymnal, it appears to have been the original source for at least that one melody. (See the note on #750 - Jesus Loves Me)
Most advertisements and brochures list only the titles of cobs, but these list some names of composers (or arrangers) along with the titles.
An undated trifold brochure listing only the Grand Roller Organ and its music. Sacred titles are listed through #3014 and popular titles through #2140.
Grand Roller Organ, A Musical Wonder — an abridged list of popular titles through #3014 and a list of sacred titles through #2140. (This appears to be based on the same information as the more complete list above.)
Music Catalogue — a single sheet brochure, the back listing sacred titles through #54 and popular titles through #230.
The following references are excellent online sources of information:
Although hundreds of advertisements and brochures exist, these have large tune lists or significant information:
The Wonderful Home Music Box — a large, undated single sheet brochure, printed both sides, with titles arranged into categories.
A Perfect Musical Instrument … Using Music Rollers Made of Wood and Steel — a large, undated single sheet brochure, printed both sides, with titles arranged into categories.
… Using Music Rollers Made of Wood and Steel — an undated single sheet brochure, printed both sides, with titles arranged numerically. Found as both a Standard Organ Co. brochure, and as an unattributed brochure.
A small, undated 12-page brochure, advertising the Gem and Concert, with titles arranged alphabetically.