The Continental Harmony (William Billings)

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General information

Publication

William Billings' book The Continental Harmony was published in 1794: the date of publication is given in the imprint, which states that the book was 'Printed, Typographically, at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold at their Bookstore, No. 45, Newbury Street; by said Thomas in Worcester; and by the Booksellers in Boston, and elsewhere.' The Hymn Tune Index notes that the book was advertised as 'just published' in the Columbian Centinel on 1 February 1794.

Publication date and place: 1794 by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews in Boston.

Description of contents

The book contains 17 anthems and 34 hymn or metrical psalm tunes. With the exception of one tune, 'Connection' (which is used as a frontispiece) these are preceded (on pages 3-34) by a lengthy preface, consisting of a page illustrating 'Musical Characters', an introduction to the rudiments of music addressed 'To the several Teachers of MUSIC, in this and the adjacent States' (which Billings recommends as a structure for teaching music), and 'A Commentary on the preceding Rules; by way of Dialogue, between Master and Scholar'.

List of works

LIST A
Pages Title and Description from 1794 Text
01Frontispiece Connection Hail! Sacred music, hail!
0235-41 An Anthem; for Thanksgiving. Psalm 148. O praise the Lord of heaven
0342-47 An Anthem, for Fast Day. Isaiah, Chap. 1st. Hear, hear, O heavens
0447-48 Great-Plain. Words from Dr. Watts. Ye slumb'ring saints, a heav'nly host
0549 Rocky-Nook. Words from Dr. Watts. Those glorious minds, how bright they shine
0650 West-Sudbury. Words from Mr. John Peck Here is a song, which doth belong
0751 Norfolk. Words by Dr. Watts. Let the old heathen tune their song
0852-54 Creation. Words by Dr. Watts. When I with pleasing wonder stand
0955 St. John’s. Words by Dr. Watts. Where are the mourners, saith the Lord
1056 Cross-Street. Words from Addison. The Lord my pasture shall prepare
1157-58 Invocation. Majestic God, our muse inspire
1258-59 Bellingham. Words by Dr. Watts. Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme
1359-60 Cohasset. Words by Dr. Watts. Life is the time to serve the Lord
1461-62 Egypt. Words by Dr. Watts. Come, see the wonders of our God
1562-63 Revelation. Words by Dr. Watts. Let all the heathen writers join
1664-65 Washington-Street. Words by Dr. Watts. Now shall my inward joys arise
1766 Thomas-Town. Words by Dr. Biles. Great God, how frail a thing is man
1867 St. Enoch. For a Thanksgiving, after a Victory. Sing to the Lord a new-made song
1968 Morning Hymn. Words by Dr. Watts. Once more, my soul, the rising day
2069 Sudbury. Words by Mr. John Peck. What if the saint must die
2170-74 An Anthem. For Thanksgiving Day Morning. Sing praises to the Lord, O ye saints of his
2274-75 Weymouth. Words by Dr. Watts. Shall we go on to sin
2376-81 An Anthem. Solomon’s Songs, Chap. 5th. I am come into my garden
2481 Rochester. Words by the Rev. George Whitefield. Ye servants of God, your master proclaim
2582 Gilead. Words by Dr. Watts. Salvation! O, the joyful sound
2683 South-Boston. Words by Dr. Watts. Join all the glorious names
2784-94 An Anthem. Psalm 44th. We have heard with our ears
2895-96 Dedham. Words by Dr. Watts. Rejoice, ye shining worlds on high
2997-104 Universal Praise: An Anthem, for Thanksgiving-Day, taken from Psalm 149, &c. O praise God, praise him in his holiness
30105-116 An Anthem for Ordination. Words from Tate & Brady, Scripture, &c. O thou to whom all creatures bow
31117-127 An Anthem for Christmas. Words from Luke 2d. and elsewhere. Hark! Hark! hear you not
32127-129 St. Thomas. Words from Dr. Watts Methinks I see my Saviour dear
33129-130 Broad Cove. Words from Dr. Watts Time, what an empty vapor 'tis
34131-137 Deliverance, An Anthem. Words from sundry scriptures, &c. I will love thee, O Lord my strength
35138-143 Variety, without Method. An Anthem. Psalm 60. O God, thou hast been displeased
36144 Hopkinton. Words from George Whitefield. Lo, he cometh; countless trumpets
37145-151 An Anthem, for Fast Day. Some of the words from scripture. Mourn, mourn
38152 East Sudbury. Words from Dr. Watts. Ye tribes of Adam, join
39153 Adams. Words from Dr. Watts. To spend one sacred day
40154 Clarimont. A Hymn for Easter. Words Anon. Arise and hail the sacred day
41155-159 An Anthem. Solomon’s Songs. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem
42160-164 An Anthem. Psalm 126. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion
43164-168 The dying Christian’s last farewell. Spoken in the tenor. My friends, I am going a long journey
44169-170 New-Plymouth. Words by Tate and Brady. O Lord, our fathers oft have told
45170-171 Victory. Words by Dr. Watts. To thine almighty arm, we owe
46171-176 Sublimity, an Anthem. Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God
47176-184 An Anthem. Psalm 108. For Thanksgiving Day Morning. O God, my heart is fixed
48184-185 St. Andrew’s. Words by Dr. Watts. Behold the glories of the Lamb
49185-186 Cobham. Words by Dr. Watts. Teach me the measure of my days
50186-197 An Anthem. Joel, 1st and 2d Chap. Suitable for Fast. Sanctify a fast
51198-199 Lewis-Town. Words by Tate and Brady. How vast must their advantage be
LIST B
No. Pg. HTI* Title First Line Author Key Meter Time Vo. Comment
1 0 4007 Connection Hail, sacred music, hail A S.M. 3:4 4
2 35 An Anthem for Thanksgiving O praise the Lord of heaven F Anthem 3:4 4 Psalm 148
3 42 An Anthem for Fast Day Hear, O heavens, and give ear f Anthem 2:2 4 Isaiah Ch. 1
4 47 6710 Great-Plain Ye slumbering saints, a heavenly host Isaac Watts a L.M. 3:2 4
5 49 6718 Rocky-Nook Those glorious minds, how bright they shine Isaac Watts G C.M. 2:2 4
6 50 6726 West-Sudbury Here is a song which doth belong John Peck f C.M.D. 2:2 4
7 51 6716 Norfolk Let the old heathen tune their song Isaac Watts E L.M. 2:2 4
8 52 4100b Creation When I with pleasing wonder stand Isaac Watts F C.M.D. 3:2 4
9 55 6721 St. John's Where are the mourners, saith the Lord Isaac Watts g L.M. 2:2 4
10 56 6705 Cross-Street The Lord my pasture shall prepare Joseph Addison C 88.88.88. 3:4 4
11 57 6712 Invocation Majestic God, our muse inspire William Billings C L.M. 2:2 4
12 58 6700 Bellingham Begin my tongue some heavenly theme Isaac Watts E C.M.D. 3:2 4
13 59 6704 Cohasset Life is the time to serve the Lord Isaac Watts a L.M. 3:2 4
14 61 6708 Egypt Come see the wonders of our God Isaac Watts C C.M. 2:2 4
15 62 4123b Revelation Let all the heathen writers join Isaac Watts a C.M. 2:2 4
16 64 6725 Washington-Street Now shall my inward joys arise Isaac Watts F C.M. 2:2 4
17 66 6723 Thomas-Town Great God, how frail a thing is an Mather Byles g C.M.D. 2:2 4
18 67 6720 St. Enoch Sing to the Lord a new-made song Tate & Brady C 8.6.8.6 2:2 4 Thanksgiving after a victory.
19 68 6714 Morning Hymn Once more, my soul, the rising day Isaac Watts C C.M. 2:2 4
20 69 6727 Sudbury What if the saint must die John Peck C S.M.D. 6:4 4
21 70 Anthem for Thanksgiving Day Morning Sing praises to the Lord C Anthem 3:2 4
22 74 6728 Weymouth Shall we go on to sin Isaac Watts g S.M. 3:2 4
23 76 Anthem I am come into my garden a Anthem 2:2 4 Song of Solomon Ch. 5
24 81 6717 Rochester Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim Charles Wesley C 10 10.11 11. 6:4 4
25 82 6709 Gilead Salvation, O the joyful sound Isaac Watts C C.M. 2:2 4
26 83 6722 South-Boston Join all the glorious names Isaac Watts C 66.66.88. 2:2 4
27 84 Anthem We have heard with our ears E Anthem 2:2 4 Psalm 44
28 95 6706 Dedham Rejoice, ye shining worlds on high Isaac Watts C L.M. 2:2 4
29 97 Universal Praise O praise God, praise him in his holiness C Anthem 2:2 4 Thanksgiving Day, Psalm 149
30 105 An Anthem for Ordination O thou to whom all creatures bow Tate & Brady C Anthem 3:2 4
31 117 An Anthem for Christmas Hark! Hear you not a cheerful noise C Anthem 2:2 4
32 127 4099b St. Thomas Methinks I see my Savior dear Isaac Watts c C.M.D. 3:2 4
33 129 6701 Broad Cove Time, what an empty vapor tis Isaac Watts g C.M. 3:2 4
34 131 Deliverance I will love thee, O Lord my strength C Anthem 2:4 4
35 138 Variety, without Method O God, thou hast been displeased B Anthem 2:2 4 Psalm 60
36 144 6711 Hopkinton Lo, he cometh; countless trumpets Whitefield B 87.87.87. 2:4 4
37 145 An Anthem for Fast Day Mourn, Pharoah and Ahab prevail c Anthem 3:2 4
38 152 6707 East Sudbury Ye tribes of Adam join G 66.66.88. 2:2 4
39 153 6699 Adams To spend one sacred day Isaac Watts C 66.66.88. 6:4 4
40 154 6702 Clarimont Arise and hail the sacred day Joseph Stephenson C 886.886. 6:8 4
41 155 An Anthem I charge you, O ye daughters C Anthem 3:4 4 Song of Solomon
42 160 An Anthem When the Lord turned again F Anthem 2:2 4 Psalm 126
43 164 The Dying Christian's Last Farewell My friends, I am going a long journey g Anthem 2:2 4
44 169 6715 New Plymouth O Lord, our fathers oft have told Tate & Brady C C.M.D. 2:2 4
45 170 6724 Victory To thine almighty arm Isaac Watts B C.M.D. 2:2 4
46 171 Sublimity The heavens declare the glory of God C Anthem 2:2 4 Psalm 19
47 176 An Anthem O God, my heart is fixed G Anthem 2:2 4 Psalm 108.
48 184 6719 St. Andrew's Behold the glories of the Lamb Isaac Watts C C.M. 2:2 4
49 185 6703 Cobham Teach me the measure of my days Isaac Watts a C.M.D. 6:8 4
50 186 An Anthem Sanctify a fast g Anthem 2:2 4 Joel Ch. 1-2
51 198 6713 Lewis-Town How vast must their advantage be Tate & Brady C C.M.D. 2:2 4

Works at CPDL

Title First Line Lyricist Genre Subgenre Vo.
Adams To spend one sacred day Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
An Anthem for Christmas Sacred Anthems 4
Bellingham Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Broad Cove Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Clarimont Joseph Stephenson Sacred Carols 4
Cobham Teach me the measure of my days Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Cohasset Life is the time to serve the Lord Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Connection Hail! Sacred music, hail! Sacred 4
Creation When I with pleasing wonder stand Isaac Watts Sacred Anthems 4
Cross-Street The Lord my pasture shall prepare Joseph Addison Sacred 4
Dedham Rejoice, ye shining worlds on high Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Deliverance Sacred Anthems 4
East Sudbury Ye tribes of Adam, join Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Egypt Come, see the wonders of our God Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Gilead Salvation! O, the joyful sound Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Great-Plain Ye slumb'ring saints, a heav'nly host Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Hear, hear, O heavens Sacred Anthems 4
Hopkinton Lo, he cometh; countless trumpets John Cennick Sacred 4
I am come into my garden Sacred Anthems 4
Invocation Majestic God, our muse inspire Sacred Anthems 4
Lewis-Town How vast must their advantage be 3 Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Morning Hymn Once more, my soul, the rising day Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Mourn, mourn Sacred Motets 4
Norfolk Let the old heathen tune their song Isaac Watts Sacred 4
O God, my heart is fixed Sacred Anthems 4
O Lord, our fathers oft have told Tate and Brady Sacred Set pieces 4
O praise God, praise him in his holiness Sacred Anthems 4
O praise the Lord of heaven Sacred Anthems 4
O thou to whom all creatures bow Sacred Anthems 4
Revelation Let all the heathen writers join Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Rochester Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim Charles Wesley Sacred 4
Rocky-Nook Those glorious minds, how bright they shine Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Sanctify a fast Sacred Anthems 4
Sing praises to the Lord Sacred Anthems 4
South Boston Join all the glorious names Isaac Watts Sacred 4
St. Enoch Sing to the Lord a new-made song Tate and Brady Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
St. John's Where are the mourners, saith the Lord Isaac Watts Sacred 4
St. Thomas Methinks I see my Savior dear Isaac Watts Sacred 4
St Andrew's Isaac Watts Sacred 4
Sublimity The heavens declare the glory of God Sacred Anthems 4
Sudbury (1794) What if the saint must die John Peck Sacred 4
The dying Christian's last farewell Sacred Anthems 4
Thomas-Town Great God, how frail a thing is man Mather Byles Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Variety, without method O God, Thou hast been displeased Sacred Anthems 4
Victory To thine almighty arm we owe Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Victory Ye sons of men, a feeble race Isaac Watts Sacred Psalm-tunes 4
Washington-Street Now shall my inward joys arise Isaac Watts Sacred 4
West-Sudbury Here is a song, which doth belong John Peck Sacred 4
Weymouth Shall we go on to sin Isaac Watts Sacred Set pieces 4
When the Lord turned again Sacred Anthems 4


External links

  • Hymn Tune Index details for source BillWCH

References

  • Barbour, J. Murray. 1960. The Church Music of William Billings. 167 pp. East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press. [1]
  • Kroeger, Karl, Editor. 1990. The Complete Works of William Billings, Volume 4: The Continental Harmony (1794). Madison, Wisconsin: American Musicological Society, 332 pp.