America’s musical founding father: ‘Liberty songs’ by a self-taught singer and tanner helped fuel the Revolution

William Billings has been largely forgotten, except among music historians. But he was the country’s first notable composer, penning protest songs against Great Britain.

By: David W. Stowe, Michigan State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 27, 2026

Words: 1,157

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

Body Text Preview

By David W. Stowe, Michigan State University

As July 4, 2026, approaches, Americans will be paying more attention than usual to events of 1776: the year the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Public historians, including filmmaker Ken Burns, have tried to offer a more inclusive view of the American Revolution, highlighting lesser-known patriots. But figures such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin will undoubtedly get the lion’s …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us