A Song of Byrds

all which isn't singing is mere talking

and all talking's talking to oneself

(E E Cummings: from poem 32 of '73 poems')

Reasons briefly set down by the author, to perswade every

one to learn to sing.

First, it is a knowledge safely taught and quickly learned,

where there is a good Master, and an apt Scholler.

To shallow rivers, to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals

There will we make our beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies

(William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor Act 3, Scene 1)

The exercise of singing is delightfull to Nature, and good to

preserve the health of Man.

It doth strengthen all parts of the brest and doth open up the

pipes.

It is a singular good remedie for stuttering and stammering in

the speech.

The ousel cock, so black of hue,

With orange-tawny bill,

The throstle with his note so true,

The wren with little quill.

The finch, the sparrow, and the lark,

The plain-song cuckoo grey,

Whose note full many a man doth mark,

And dares not answer nay.

(William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3, Scene 1)

It is the best means to procure a perfect pronunciation and to

make a good Orator.

It is the only way to know where Nature hath bestowed the

benefit of a good voice: which gift is so rare, as there is not

one among a thousand, that hath it.

christ but they're few

all (beyond win

or lose) good true

beautiful things

god how he sings

the robin (who

'll be silent in

a moon or two)

(E E Cummings: poem 33 from '73 poems')

And in many, that excellent gift is lost because they want Art

to express Nature.

There is not any musicke of instruments whatsoever,

comparable to that which is made of the voices of men,

where the voices are good, and the same well sorted and

ordered.

The better the voice is, the meeter it is to honour and

serve God there-with: and the voice of man is chiefly to be

employed to that end.

"Omnes Spiritus Laudes Dominum"

Since Singing is so good a thing,

I wish all men would learn to sing.

(William Byrd: Preface to "Psalms, Sonets, and Songs of Sadnes and Pietie" 1588)