P. P. Werlein (1812–1885) was an American music publisher, piano dealer, and musical instrument retailer based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 19th century. Among other Civil War songs, he published the sheet music for "Dixie". The retail music stores that he founded, Werlein's for Music, were among the largest in the American South during much of the more than 150 year existence of the stores.
Portrait of Philip Werlein, circa 1874 (image from The Historic New Orleans Collection)
The former flagship Werlein Music Building in New Orleans subsequently housed a restaurant; the "Werlein's For Music" sign on top of the building remained, although it was replaced by the restaurant's name prior to August 2014.
Unauthorized sheet music to "Dixie", published by P. P. Werlein and Halsey of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1861.
"Dixie", also known as "Dixie's Land", "I Wish I Was in Dixie", and other titles, is a song about the Southern United States first made in 1859. It is one of the most distinctively Southern musical products of the 19th century. It was not a folk song at its creation, but it has since entered the American folk vernacular. The song likely rooted the word "Dixie" in the American vocabulary as a nickname for the Southern U.S.
Dixie (song)
Detail from a playbill of the Bryant's Minstrels depicting the first part of a walkaround, dated December 19, 1859
"I Wish I Was in Dixie's Land" sheet music
Detail from a playbill for Bryant's Minstrels at April 4, 1859, premiere of "Dixie", Mechanics' Hall, New York City
