otes to sing them withal. Imprinted
by John Day." In this work there was but one part, the air, and each note
was accompanied by its name; but a few years later the psalms appeared
set to music in four parts. They were the work of William Damon, and his
book bore the title: "The Psalms of David to English Metre, with notes of
Four Parts set unto them, by Wm. Damon, to the Use of the Godly
Christians, for recreating themselves, instead of fond and unseemly
ballads. 1579." In 1599 there appeared a very ambitious work in folio
form, so arranged that four persons might sing from it, and bearing the
title: "The Psalms of David in Metre, the Plain song being the common
Tune, to be sung and played upon the Lute, Orpharion, Citterne, or
Bass-viol, severally or together; the singing Part to be either Tenor or
Treble to the instrument, according to the Nature of the Voice, or for
Four Voices; with Ten Short Tunes in the end, to which, for the most
part, all Psalms may be usually sung; for the Use of such as are of mean
Skill, and whose Leisure least serveth to practice. By Richard Allison,
Gent., Practitioner in the Art of Music." Notwithstanding its formidable
title, the work was not highly esteemed at the time. In 1621, Thomas
Ravenscroft, Bachelor of Music, published an excellent collection of
psalm tunes, many of which are still in use. In his preface he says, by
way of advice: "1. That psalms of tribulation be sung with a low voice
and long measure; 2. That psalms of thanksgiving be sung with a voice
indifferent, neither too loud nor too soft, and neither too swift nor too
slow; 3. That psalms of rejoicing be sung with a loud voice and a swift
and jocund measure." His preface closes with the pious wish that all his
patrons after death may join in the "Quire of Angels in the Heavens."

The date of the Ravenscroft collection brings us to the time of the
Pilgrims. When they loaded the "Mayflower" with their homely household
furniture, spinning-wheels, and arms of defence, and set out upon their
long and uncertain voyage to find a friendly shore where they might
worship God in their own fashion, the psalm-book was not forgotten. They
brought with them a version made by Henry Ainsworth of Amsterdam, in
which the notes set above the words were of lozenge shape. For twenty
years it was in exclusive use, though the Salem Church did not abandon it
until 1667, and the Plymouth Church retained the old favorite until 1692.
The Sternhold