A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pammelia

PAMMELIA. The first collection of Canons, Rounds, and Catches, published in this country. It was issued in 1609, under the editorship of Thomas Ravenscroft, with the title of 'Pammelia. Mvsicks Miscellanie, Or, Mixed Varietie of Pleasant Boundelayes, and delightfull Catches, of 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 Parts in one. Never so ordinarie as musicall, none so musical, as not to all very pleasing and acceptable.' It contains 100 compositions, many of considerable antiquity, several of which are still well known and have been reprinted in modern publications, amongst them 'Heyhoe to the green wood,' 'All in to service,' 'Now kiss the cup, cousin,' 'Joan, come kiss me now,' 'There lies a pudding,' 'Jack boy, ho boy' (alluded to in Shakspere's 'Taming of the Shrew '), 'Banbury Ale,' 'Now Robin lend to me thy bow,' and 'Let's have a peal for John Cook's soul.' A second edition appeared in 1618. A second part was issued, also in 1609, under the title of 'Deuteromelia: or, The Second part of Musicks melodie, or melodius Musicke of Pleasant Roundelaies; K. H. mirth, or Freemens Songs and such delightfull Catches. Qui Canere potest canat. Catch that catch can. Vt Mel Os, sic Cor melos afficit de reficit.' This contains 31 compositions, viz. 7 Freemen's Songs for 3, and 7 for 4 voices, and 8 rounds or catches for 3, and 9 for 4 voices. Of the Freemen's Songs the following are still well known; 'As it fell on a holy day' (John Dory), 'We be soldiers three,' 'We be three poor mariners,' 'Of all the birds,' and 'Who liveth so merry in all this land'; and of the catches, 'Hold thy peace, thou knave' (directed to be sung in Shakspere's 'Twelfth Night') and 'Mault's come down.' No composer's names are given in either part.

[ W. H. H. ]