Innovations and Celebrations

Some music reflects inventions of the period. Transportation, especially railroads and steamboats ("The Song of Steam" is about the power of steam in general), generated many pieces. The new art of photography was also celebrated, as was the telegraph and lighting by gas. Newspapers were celebrated in a tradition that became stronger later in the century.

Fraternal organizations were celebrated in songs, marches, and dance pieces. Firemen's associations are very strongly represented, but there are also songs for the Odd Fellows, the Freemasons, and college fraternities.