From Mountain Heights & Vallies Green

ComposerJohn Willis (music)

WordsJonas B. Phillips (words)

Date1842

OccasionSong & Chorus commemorating the introduction of the Croton Water into the City of New York; dedicated to the Temperance Societies of the United States

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The Original Score

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The Lyrics

[Poem] "From Mountain Heights & Vallies Green" by Jonas B. Phillips (words) and John Willis (music), 1842. Song & Chorus commemorating the introduction of the Croton Water into the City of New York. Dedicated to the Temperance Societies of the United States. Published by John F. Nunns, 240 Broadway, New York. Copyright deposited July 27, 1842. Source: Library of Congress, Music Division (item 2023798259). Previously considered "unrecoverable" — full lyrics transcribed from the digitized sheet music.

VERSE 1: From mountain heights and vallies green Rejoicing shouts ascend; And gladsome voices on the breeze In songs harmonious blend. A mighty foe is overthrown, Forever past his reign; And all regenerated earth Now raise this choral strain.

CHORUS: Drink! drink! the draught to cheer the soul From chrystal streamlets clear; Away, away the madd'ning bowl No longer tempts us here.

VERSE 2: No more the spell of rosy wine Enchains the human soul; A purer draught, a gift divine, Now mantles in the bowl; A draught to cheer and nourish life, To heal all earthly woes; And free for all mankind to quaff From nature's bosom flows.

CHORUS: Then drink the draught to cheer the soul From chrystal streamlets clear; Away away the madd'ning bowl No longer tempts us here.

VERSE 3: The fountain's in the sun's bright beams Their dazzling gems display; And countless are the silver streams That wend their silent way: Rich gifts are these of Heav'n divine From which each blessing flows; Imparting to the cheek of health The bloom they give the rose.

CHORUS: Then drink the draught that cheers the soul From chrystal streamlets clear; Away away the madd'ning bowl No longer tempts us here.

Full transcription in the archive →

Page by Page

Blank Endpaper from Croton Water Sheet Music

The image shows a blank endpaper from a sheet music book. The page is white with some speckles and marks, likely from aging. In the top-right corner, the number '30' is handwritten.

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Croton Water Sheet Music — Phillips/Willis (1842), Page 002

Title page — "From Mountain Heights & Vallies Green" Song & Chorus commemorating the Croton Water, 1842. Words by Jonas B. Phillips, Music by John Willis. Published by John F. Nunns, 240 Broadway.

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Croton Water Sheet Music — Phillips/Willis (1842), Page 003

Page 2 — Music and lyrics: first verse and three-part chorus ("Drink! drink! the draught to cheer the soul / From chrystal streamlets clear")

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Croton Water Sheet Music — Phillips/Willis (1842), Page 004

Page 3 — End of chorus and full text of verses 2 and 3 with choruses

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Croton Water Sheet Music — Phillips/Willis (1842), Page 005

Final endpaper with handwritten "Deposited July 27, 1842" copyright notice from the Clerk's Office, Southern District of New York.

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Why It Matters

Written by Jonas B. Phillips with music by John Willis and published by John F. Nunns of 240 Broadway, this 'Song & Chorus' commemorated the introduction of Croton water into New York City and was dedicated to the Temperance Societies of the United States — its chorus urges drinkers to trade 'the madd'ning bowl' for water 'from chrystal streamlets clear.' Copyright was deposited on July 27, 1842. The lyrics were previously considered unrecoverable; the full text below was transcribed from the digitized sheet music.

Source: Library of Congress, Music Division (item 2023798259). Public domain. · Provenance in the archive →

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