Emily and Alvin Jensen's Favorite Songs of their Era

Emily Steele Jensen was a singer and often performed at funerals and weddings, and other public venues as needed.  At home, she taught her children to sing the songs of the day, as well as hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Some of the fun songs she probably learned in her youth became her favorites, as passed on to her descendants.  'The Little Black Mustache' song was one of her favorites, a song about love, charms, looks and disappointments.  This lyric sheet is among the papers passed on to her posterity.

'The Little Black Mustache' was written in 1881 by James E. Dow, and it remained popular into the 1920's.  (mudcat.org)

You can see the sheet music for 'The Little Black Mustache' song and hear a woman sing it at this website:  Little Black Mustache song - Missouri State Archives


Another family favorite that is still sung at reunions is 'Another Perfect Day Has Passed Away' written by Clarence Gaskill in 1933. No online free music is found, but the old sheet music can be purchased on amazon.com. 

Another song of warning titled 'Don't Wear Your Heart on your Sleeve' hits close to the heart.  It was written by Edward B. Marks and put to music by Joseph W. Stern in 1901.  You can see the sheet music to it here:  Don't Wear Your Heart on your Sleeve - Indiana State

The 2 part round, 'We're on the Upward Trail' is now sung by children's groups and Cub Scouts.  You can find the music in the 2009 Cub Scout Songbook on pg. 73.

I remember my grandpa Garth and his brothers harmonizing beautifully as they sang 'Tumbling Tumbleweeds by Bob Dolan and the Sons of the Pioneers (1930).  You can find the chording here:  Tumbling Tumbleweeds Chords

'My Mother Was a Lady' is another warning song, similar to the others.  A country singer recently recorded it, although it was written in 1896 (another song by Marks and Stern.)    You can see the sheet music here:  My Mother Was a Lady - Mississippi State 

The simple song 'Down in the Valley' is a traditional American song, recorded as early as 1909.  It's been recorded by many people and is still sung at various settings.  Simple piano music to it can be found here:  Down in the Valley - simple

More verses to 'Down in the Valley' are found on the Wikipedia page of that name.

These old time songs bring back the sounds of the old days in which Pop and Emily lived.  It's a blessing that they passed these favorites on to their descendants for us to enjoy, and experience their world through songs.