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Psalms and Chants,

ARRANGED AND ADAPTED

FOR

Congregational or Private Use,

BY

SAMUEL SMITH.

BRADFORD

LONDON:

J. ALFRED NOVELLO; JOHN SNOW.

BRADFORD:

WILLIAM JACKSON.

Entered at Stationers' Hall.

138. c. 418.

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PREFACE.

FOR some time past it has been the constant practice at the Independent Chapel, Lister Hills, Bradford, to commence each service by singing one of the Psalms, (Bible version,) from a small selection printed with appropriate music, and arranged by the Compiler of the present work, In this, (the opening Chant,) it is usual for the whole body of the people to join most heartily, shewing by their earnestness in it how much they enjoy this mode of singing the praises of God. Perhaps it is not too much to say, that the style of chanting in use at this place may fairly claim to be called "Congregational," being at once clear, simple, expressive, easily acquired, and well suited for Public Worship. Many enquiries have been made for a larger and more varied selection; and the Compiler has been induced to make the following attempt in answer thereto. In this book will be found all the old favorite Psalms, with the Chants to which they have, as it were, become wedded, together with others of a more extensive, varied, and special character, which, it is hoped, will be found equally well fitted with music, and equally well suited for Public Worship. In arranging these "Psalms and

Chants," everything has been done that practical experience could suggest, in order to secure clearness and simplicity, and to bring them within the reach of congregations generally. The Compiler most sincerely hopes that this selection may prove as acceptable and as useful as its smaller predecessor has been, not only to the people more directly interested, but to other congregations who may feel desirous of enriching their "Service of Song in the House of the Lord," by introducing into their singing in Public Worship, and in the very words of Scripture, those glorious Anthems of praise and thanksgiving, which are so richly stored in the Psalms and other parts of the inspired poetry of the Bible.

The following selection contains a considerable number of the Psalms, without abridgement, while from others which were considered as too long, or perhaps the subjectmatter not being quite suitable, selections have been made. There will be found also included a few passages from the Prophets and from the New Testament.

In order to make the singing of these beautiful portions of Scripture not only practicable to a congregation, but equally pleasant and profitable, some attention will be required to a few plain directions and explanations:

I. The short Psalms, &c., placed at the beginning of the book are specially suited and intended for commencing Public Worship; the longer Psalms and Selections are equally well adapted for other parts of the Service; and for dismission, there is choice in Doxologies, &c., when

V.

such are required. To each and all, appropriate music has been carefully adapted, and placed at the head of each page, or of each Psalm or Selection, as the case may be. This music is mostly in the form of the ordinary Single and Double Chant; and for the convenience of having only one book to answer for all the purposes required, it is here arranged, with few exceptions, in open four-part vocal score; and, though the Organist may, perhaps, have the worst of it, yet he will soon acquire the habit of playing as readily from a copy of this kind as from the usual compressed score. In cases where a Chant stands at the head of the page, and two or more Psalms or Selections follow below, as on page 6, and no fresh music intervenes, then all below must be sung to the Chant at the head of the page. In cases where the Psalm is continued from the left to the right-hand page, and another is added, but without fresh music, as on pages 18 and 19, then both Psalms xxviii. and xxix. are to be sung to Chant XIX. In short, whenever music is placed at the head of a Psalm or Selection, it is intended to be sung to that music; in all other cases, to the music which next precedes it. In a few of the Psalms the music changes with the sentiment, as in No. 26; here the first portion, viz., from verse 1 to 6,—is to be sung to Chant XVI., and from thence to the end, to Chant XVII.; in such cases the Psalm should be sung through without any stopping at the change of key. Where a pause is introduced in the middle of a Psalm, as in No. 6, the first or second parts may be sung only, or the whole, at pleasure.

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