A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Popular Ancient English Music

by William Barclay Squire

POPULAR ANCIENT ENGLISH MUSIC. The classical work on this subject is^[1] entitled 'Popular Music of the Olden Time: a Collection of the Ancient Songs, Ballads, and Dance Tunes, illustrative of the National Music of England. With short introductions to the different reigns, and notices of the Airs from writers of the 16th and 17th centuries. Also a Short Account of the Minstrels. By W. Chappell, F.S.A. The whole of the airs harmonized by G. A. Macfarren. London: Cramer, Beale and Chappell.' The foundation of the above work was published in 1838–40 under the title of 'A Collection of National English Airs, consisting of Ancient Songs, Ballads and Dance Tunes, interspersed with remarks and anecdote, and preceded by an Essay on English Minstrelsy. The Airs harmonized for the Pianoforte, by W. Crotch, Mus. Doc., G. Alex. Macfarren, and J. Augustine Wade. Edited by W. Chappell.' This work contains 245 tunes, and was out of print in about 14 years time from the date of its publication. The 'Popular Music' was published in 17 parts (2 large 8vo. volumes, and 797 pages) and contains more than 400 airs with five facsimiles of music and two copious Indexes. The following are the headings of the chapters:

Vol. I.

Minstrelsy from the Saxon period to the reign of Edward I. Music of the Middle Ages, and Music in England to the end of the 13th century.

English Minstrelsy from 1270 to 1480, and the gradual extinction of the old minstrels.

Introduction to the reigns of Henry VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Queen Mary.

Songs and Ballads of the reigns of Henry VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Queen Mary.

Introduction to the reign of of Queen Elizabeth.

Songs and Ballads of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Introduction to the reign of James I.

Songs and Ballads of the reigns of James I. and Charles I.

Vol. II.

Conjectures as to Robin Hood.

Ballads relating to the adventures of Robin Hood.

Puritanism in its effect upon Music and its accessories; and Introduction to the Commonwealth Period.

Songs and Ballads of the Civil War, and of the time of Cromwell.

Introduction to the reign of Charles II.

Songs and Ballads from Charles II. to William and Mary.

Remarks on Anglo-Scotch Songs.

Specimens of Anglo-Scotch Songs.

Introduction to the reigns of Queen Anne, George I., and George II.

Songs and Ballads of the reigns of Queen Anne, George I., and George II.

Traditional Songs of uncertain date.

Religious Christmas Carols.

Appendix, consisting of additions to the Introductions, and of further remarks upon the tunes included in both volumes.

Characteristics of National English Airs, and summary.

[ W. B. S. ]

1. The title has been somewhat modified in later editions.