| Citation |
BNL.764.002
5 Jan 1764:23 (3124)
There are a set of geniuses, who stick themselves up in a
gallery, and seem to think that they have a privilege of
engrossing all the singing to themselves; and truly they
take a very effectual method to secure this privilege,
namely, by singing such tunes, as is impossible for the
congregation to join in. Whom they get to compose for them,
or whether they compose for themselves, I will not pretend
to determine; but, instead of those plain and simple
compositions which are essential to the awful solemnity of
church music, away they get off, one after another, in a
light, airy, jiggish tune, better adapted to a country
dance, than the awful business of changing forth the praises
of the King of Kings--A clergyman of my acquaintance, at my
desire, presumed once to beg the favour of these gentlemen
to sing the Old Hundredth Psalm. Was his request granted,
think you ? By no means. After looking upon him with a
smile of pity for his want of taste, they told him that was
out of date, but the would give him the new tune to the same
words, which was much better; for that it consisted of four
or five parts, and had many fugues. Imagine to yourself,
that you are hearing ten or a dozen ballad-singers bawling
out Ally Croaker one after another, line after line, and it
will give you some faint idea of our entertainment.
Now, who will wonder, after this true representation of
the matter, that the congregation, not being able to
accompany these connoisseurs, should by degrees, look upon
themselves as unconcerned in the duty, and consider it in
the light of an amusement (such an amusement as it is ! )
rather than a part of divine service ? They think they may
as well sit down as stand up, to hear these gentlemen shew
their talents in music, which seems to be ( and , I fear,
too often is ) their sole view in singing. They are so much
taken up in beating time, and endeavouring to execute the
fugues (as they are pleased to call them) properly, that the
matter of the Psalm has very little share in their
attention. How much better is it calculated to answer the
purposes of devotion, when the Psalms are sung in such an
easy and plain stile, as that the whole congregation may,
with one heart and voice, join together to celebrate the
praises of their creator?
[in ms.:] a Booby: [in type:] J.B.[in ms.:]lockhead.
(The foregoing is published only to satisfy the desire of
some of our good old customers: this is tho't necessary to
be mentioned lest offence should be taken the publishers, by
the gentlemen who practise the present method.)
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