The American Home Music Album

This collection of songs and piano pieces was published in New York in 1915.
I have managed to keep mine in pristine condition.   <snicker>
It has been made available for on-line viewing in a couple of places.
I have also seen a used copy for sale for under $20.

Here is the publisher's introduction.

I would like to point out some of the hype and say that I cannot disagree!

the one book really necessary on his piano the most comprehensive collection of music in one volume the entire field of desirable music a work which will satisfy every reasonable musical desire

It is nearly 1000 pages long and is indexed three ways:
alphabetically	by category	by composer name

Mozart knew it as "Ah! Vous Dirai-Je Maman".
We know it as "Twinkle Twinkle" or "A B C D E F G" or "Baa Baa Black Sheep."

The most famous aria from Verdi's "Rigoletto" is "La Donna È Mobile."
For us English speakers, The American Home Music Album made it "Woman Is Fickle."

This work includes several four-hand piano pieces.
Players who only have two hands need a close friend who also plays!

Most sources today list the composer of "Jingle Bells" as anonymous.
But James Pierpont's song was less than 60 when The AHMA failed to give him credit!

You might remember when you first heard "Achy Breaky Heart."
I still remember when I first heard "Grandfather's Clock."

This is definitely a different song than "99 Bottles Of Beer."
However, it certainly seems to be an inspiration behind it.

~ FURTHER READING ~

When I first heard "Grandfather's Clock," I was with my family.
My mother asked me why I was crying at the end. I said, "Because the old man died."
I think she tried to console me with the fact that it was a made-up story.

I believe it's possible that I cried when I first heard "Achy Breaky,"
but for a totally different reason, which is left as an exercise for the reader.