Aldine Silliman Kieffer (1840-1904) was born near Miami, Missouri, receiving early musical training from his father, a farmer who also taught singing classes. After his father’s death, he continued studies with his mother and his grandfather Joseph Funk, the noted Mennonite musician and music publisher. At 16, he became a teacher in his grandfather’s singing schools. In the Civil War, he served in the Tenth Virginia Infantry and was a prisoner of war in Fort Delaware. After the war, he continued his musical work, issuing the song book “Christian Harp.” He taught normal schools in several states, often with Ephraim Ruebush. He took over his grandfather’s publishing company and, with Ruebush and John W. Howe, founded the Kieffer, Ruebush, & Company music publishing house. The company published numerous volumes of songs and the periodical the “Musical Million,” one of the leading tools promoting shape note music for almost a half century. The publication helped link teachers and students across the country, and published many songs in its pages. He died in Dayton, Virginia.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.