0 THE FREE-RHYTHM PSALTER The Words pointed and accented, and Chants of all periods selected and rendered, TRUE RHYTHM AND THE TRUE ANTIPHONY OF BOTH WORDS AND MUSIC TOGETHER WITH THE TRADITIONAL PLAINSONG OF THE PRAYER BOOK, RENDERED, SO FAR AS IT CAN BE, (The Music throughout in both the Staff and Letter Motation) WITH SOME FURTHER AIDS TO THE READY UNDERSTANDING EDITED BY FRANCIS POTT SOMETIME RECTOR OF NORTHILL IN THE DIOCESE OF ELY AND (IN RESPECT OF THE MUSIC) BY ARTHUR HENRY BROWN EDITOR OF 'THE GREGORIAN PSALTER,' 'THE ANGLICAN PSALTER,' 'ORGAN HARMONIES Choir and People's Edition-Melody London HENRY FROWDE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AMEN CORNER, E.C. NOTE. RHYTHM is of two kinds, (1) the strict, regular rhythm of measured music and of metrical poetry like hymns, and (2) the free, varying rhythm of poetic prose words like the Psalms and of musical recitative, properly so called, of which the chant is a very simple example. But in our modern manner of chanting we have come to this contradictory position, -in the latter part of each half-verse, under the inflected part of the chant, the true free rhythm has fallen under bondage to the strict rhythm of barred music, while, on the other hand, the first part of each half-verse, under the reciting note of the chant, has been allowed to run into a reckless freedom heedless of any rhythm at all; and what we have to do is to restore freedom to the true rhythm of the one, and rhythm to the unintelligent freedom of the other. This is the aim of this Psalter. To the Organ Edition, with full and varied harmonies, is prefixed an 'Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Chanting in Free Rhythm and true Antiphony,' which may be had separately, price 1s., with an Index of Composers, Tones, &c. ۱۸ 2162.6 FRO HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 1 Choir Prayers BEFORE A PRACTICE OR REHEARSAL. O Lord God, of Whose only gift it cometh that we are able to use and enjoy the voice of melody, grant that we may use it always to Thy glory, and to our own growth in grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. From wanderings of thought; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, jealousy, or contempt of others; from self-will and impatience; and from all lightness and ir - rév-er-ence. Good Lord, de-liv-er us. AFTER A PRACTICE OR REHEARSAL. Ο God, accept, we beseech Thee, this offering of our time and voices, whereby we desire to make the service of Thy house more worthy of Thy glorious Name; and grant that we, who are permitted to sing Thy praises on earth, may, by the help of Thy Holy Spirit, so live in holiness and purity of life that we may hereafter sing Thy praises in Heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BEFORE SERVICE. V. O Lord, open Thou our lips : R. And our mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. V. O Lord, keep Thou our thoughts: R. That we may not wander in spirit. V. O Lord, purify our hearts: R. That we may worthily magnify Thy Holy Name. Let us pray. Cleanse us, O Lord, and keep us undefiled, that we may be numbered among Thy blessed ones, who, having washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, stand before Thy throne, and serve Thee day and night in Thy Heavenly Temple. Amen. AFTER SERVICE. Grant, O Lord, that what we have sung with our lips, we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts, we may shew forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. EXERCISE CHANTS TO WHICH REFERENCE IS MADE IN SUGGESTIONS TO CHOIRMASTERS IN THE ORGAN EDITION. For accompanying harmonies for No. I, see Jubilate, last chant; for No. II, see Venite, P; for No. III, see Benedictus, H; for No. IV, see Venite, Q. Drmr:a | Ds, i, t,-1,- s 1 A- mén. EXPLANATION OF MARKS AND SIGNS. [NOTE.-The Editors, not the Composers, are responsible for the typographic form in which the chants are printed.] Dec. = Decani, the leading side of the Choir and Congregation, alone. Can. = Cantoris, the responding side, alone. All p.=Both sides together, but softly. Prec. = Precentor alone (who sings alone the first half of the first verse of all Gregorian, and such Anglican, Chants, as are so marked). in the Staff, or | in the letter-noting and in the words, shews the end of the Intonation, in Gregorians. in the Staff and: in the letter-noting, dividing two notes, and in the words, dividing two syllables 'Sing both notes when there is a dot in the words, and sing them of equal length, -do not 'chop' the first; but when there is no dot in the words, sing the first note, omitting the other (which is in italic type in the letter-noting). .. Dots over notes and over a syllable, or syllables, shew that those notes belong to that syllable, or syllables. /, ^, ', are accents, viz. / acute, strong; A circumflex, very strong; grave, weaker. |