Southern Harmony

Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion is a fasola tunebook compiled by William Walker*.  In the preface to the first edition, dated September, 1835, Walker, then 26 years old, writes, ‘The compiler of this work, having been solicited for several years by his brother teachers, pupils, and other friends, to publish a work of this kind, has consented to yield to their solicitations…  I have composed the parts to a great many good airs, (which I could not find in any publication, nor in manuscript,) and assigned my name as the author.  I have also composed several tunes wholly, and inserted them in this work, which also bear my name.  The compiler now commends this work to the public, praying...