A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Day, John

DAY, John, one of the earliest of English musical typographers, began printing about 1549 in Holborn, a little above the Conduit. He afterwards dwelt 'over Aldersgate beneath Saint Martyns,' and subsequently had a shop in St. Paul's Churchyard. He used the motto 'Arise, for it is Day,' which was probably intended as a reference to the introduction of the Reformed religion, as well as a punning allusion to his own name. On March 25, 1553, he obtained a licence to print 'A Catechism in English with an A B C thereunto annexed,' and also the works of John Poynet, Bishop of Winchester, and Thomas Beacon, Professor of Divinity. He subsequently procured a patent to be granted to him and his son for printing the Psalms, etc. He was the printer of Fox's 'Acts and Monuments.' In 1582 he was Master of the Stationers' Company. He died July 23, 1584. The musical works printed by Day were 'Certaine Notes set forth in foure and three partes to be sung at the Morning, Communion and Evening Prayer.' 1560; 'The whole Booke of Psalmes in foure partes,' which may be sung to all Musicall Instruments,' 1563, reprinted in 1565; 'Songes of three, fower and five voyces composed and made by Thomas Whythorne,' 1571; 'The Psalmes of David' by William Damon, 1579. [Damon]

[ W. H. H. ]