The Western harp. containing a collection of sacred music, original and selected; and adapted to the use of woshiping assemblies in general, together with a concise introduction to the art of singing
Carmina sacra : or, Boston collection of church music, comprising the most popular psalm and hymn tunes in general use, together with a great variety of new tunes, chants, sentences, motetts, and anthems
Institute for Studies in American Music, Department of Music, School of Performing Arts, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York,
Date of Publication
c1975.
Physical Description
vii, 43 p. ; 22 cm.
Series
I.S.A.M. monographs ;
Notes
Facsims. of the original tunes, with transcriptions in modern notation, with bass.
Bibliography: p. 40-43.
The Bay Psalm Book is the first book printed in British North America. The Reverend Jesse Glover imported the first printing press to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638, some 18 years after the first English settlers landed at Plymouth Rock. A London printer, Stephen Daye, came with the press and established a printing office in Cambridge. The following year, the residents of the colony asked John Eliot, Thomas Welde, and Richard Mather to undertake a new translation from the Hebrew Book of Psalms, for use in the colony's churches. Mather was the principal author and translator, but was assisted by about 30 other New England ministers. The book was printed in 1640.
