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One thing was certain: during the Civil War there was little interest in minstrel shows and plantation songs. Stephen Foster was going to have to find something else to do. So he teamed up with lyricist George Cooper in 1863 to write light hearted songs for the New York musical theater. Ironically, it was during this period that Foster’s earlier songs became a staple of both Union and Confederate soldiers and civilians. Unfortunately, Foster had sold all his royalties to survive. This is a good example of Foster’s and Cooper’s work together.

Foster & Cooper: “My Wife is a Most Knowing Woman”

The year 1864 was not going to be a good year for Foster. It started well, though. This little tune was a huge success in New York.

“If You’ve Only Got a Mustache”

Foster’s death in 1864 was a grotesque accident. He had been confined to his bed in a cheap hotel with a fever. He tried to call a chambermaid, fell, gashed his head on a washbasin next to his bed and bled heavily. It took three hours to get him to a hospital, and he died three days later.

He had all of 38 cents in his pocket on the day he died. The tragedy of Foster’s life was that the music industry and copyright law weren’t ready for someone of his talents. Had he lived today, his royalties would have earned him millions every year. But despite everything, he laid the groundwork for generations of American songwriters who came later.