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Known as the "Whittier Perkins" manuscript because of the ownership
inscription, this volume, in a contemporary leather binding, contains more than
two hundred tunes from the American Revolutionary War era, scored for melodic
instrument. Many of the melodies are of English origin, but the spirit of the
times is reflected in the titles given to the tunes, such as "The Free Born
Americans" and "Washinton's [sic] Health." The most famous piece in the
collection is "Yankey doodle," which appears here in its earliest known American
form. In addition, the manuscript contains such well-known songs as "The 12 days
of Christmas" and "Greensleeves."
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