THE BAY PSALM BOOK, 1698
The Whole Booke of Psalmes (Cambridge, 1640), titled from its third edition The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Old & New Testament, and consistently known as the ‘Bay Psalm Book,’ was the first book printed in the American colonies and the first American versification of the psalms, While not a tunebook, the 'Bay Psalm Book' was provided with a supplement of tunes in its ninth edition (Boston, 1698), the earliest publication of music in the English-speaking colonies. (Lowens 1964, ch. 2, deals with the seventeenth-century history of the Bav Psalm Book.') Later editions through the twenty-sixth (Boston, 1744) included a tune supplement, generally as an integral part of the book. Only the editions with music are described here. After 1744 the 'Bay Psalm Book' did not reappear until 1758, in a version thoroughly revised by the Reverend Thomas Prince. Essentially a new work, the 'Bay Psalm Book' at all, was bound with tune supplements with separate titles and histories of their own.
The ninth edition of the 'Bay Psalm Book' is here described in full. Thereafter the only part described is the musical portion, including the instructions for singing. Several editions display imprint variations on their title-pages. All such variants of editions nine through wenty-six that have come to light are included here whether they contain music or not, for there remains the possibility that a copy with a tune supplement exists somewhere.
The tunes of the ninth edition, with commentary, appear in facsimile and modern edition in Appel 1975.
The Bay Psalm Book, 9th ed., 1698
ASMI 35
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, of the Old & New-Testament: faithfully translated into English meetre. For the use, edification and comfort of the saints in publick and private, especially in New-England.
2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. Col. 3. 16. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with grace in your hearts. Eph. 5. 18, 19 Be filled with, &c. Jam. 5. 13.
The ninth edition. Boston, printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Michael Perry, under the west-end of the town house. 1698.
420, [12], 10 p. 12.5 x 7 cm. 1 p. [421]-[31] printed from relief cut. Solfa syllables set below notes. p. 259 wrongly numbered 359; p. 415 wrongly numbered 154.
P. [1], t-p.; p. [2], "To the Godly Reader'; p. 3-410, texts; p. 411-[18], 'A Table for the whole Book of Psalms'; p. 419-20, instructions for singing: "The Tunes of the Psalms With the Bass set under each Tune'; p. [421]-[31], music; p. [432] blank; p. 1-10, 'Appendix.
"We know that these Psalms, an[d] Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, tho in other languages, (and so consequently in other poetical measures) were inspired by the Holy Ghost, to holy men of old, for the edification and comfort of the Church, and people of God, in all ensuing ages, to the end of the World. And for these holy ends, we have with special care and diligence translated them into such Meeters as are most usual and suitable for such holy Poems, in our own language; haveing a special eye, both to the gravity of the phrase of Sacred Writ, and sweetness of the verse. And for fuller satisfaction of the godly desires of all, we have added sundry interpretations, according to the latitude of the significations of the Hebrew Text, commonly noted with an Asterism thus (*) and some other various readings, though not so noted.' (Note To the Godly Reader in full.)
13 compositions for 2 voices; textless. No attribs. 1 13 1st Am. pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources. 17 Core Repertory (1st Am pr. Low DUTCH [CANTER-BURY], PSALMS 100 & 148, ST. DAVID'S, SOUTHWELL, WINDSOR, YORK).
E817 (MHi). British Museum, MHi*.
The Bay Psalm Book, 10th ed., 1702
ASMI 36
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The tenth edition. Boston, printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Nicholas Buttolph, at the corner of Guteridge's coffee house. 1702.
430, [12] p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 429-30, "The Tunes of the Psalms with the Bass set under each Tune'; p. 1-12, music.
Music same as 9th ed. (No. 35).
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). ViU*.
ASMI 36A
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs The tenth edition. Boston, printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Nicholas Boone, at his shop near the old meeting house. 1702.
430 + p
No music.
E1039 (MH). MH* (lacks all after p. 430).
The Bay Psalm Book, [11th ed.]
ASMI 37
[The Bay Psalm Book, 11th ed.]
Not in Evans. No copy located.
The Bay Psalm Book, 12th ed., 1705
ASMI 38
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs... The twelfth edition. Boston: printed by B. Green, for Benjamin Eliot, and Nicholas Boone. Sold at their shops. 1705.
505, [8] p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 504-5, 'The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. [506]-[12], music.
11 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E39420 (ViU). ViU (inc.).
The Bay Psalm Book, 13th ed., 1706
ASMI 39
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. The thirteenth edition[.] Boston: printed by B. Green, for Nicholas Buttolph, at his shop at the corner of Gutteridg scoffee-house 1706.
378, [6] p. Music printed from relief cut; p. [384] signed, 'FM: Sculpt.'
P. 377-78, The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 378, [379]-[84], music.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. 1 1st Am. pr. identified (TEN COMMANDMENT). All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E1240 (t-p. only on Readex). NN (inc.), NjPT*.
ASMI 39A
[The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . 1706.]
Boston News-Letter, 3-10 June 1706, advertises 'A New Edition of the New-England Psalm-Book, Printed with a New, Fair Character, and on good fine Paper; with a New Set of most Common Tunes, more free from Errors than heretofore. To be Sold also by Benjamin Eliot at his Shop under the West End of the Town-House in Boston: & Nicholas Boone at his Shop near School-house Lane."
Not in Evans. No copy located.
ASMI 39b
The Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs The thirteenth edition[.] Boston: printed by B. Green, for Samuel Phillips at the brick shop. 1706.
288+ p.
No music.
E1239 (DLC). DLC (lacks all after p. 288),
The Bay Psalm Book, 14th ed., 1709
ASMI 40
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs... The fourteenth edition. Boston: printed by John Allen, for Eleazer Phillips, under the exchange in Kings-Street. 1709.
340, [7] p. Music printed from relief cut.
No instructions; p. [341]-[47], music.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E1381 (MHi). MHi (text inc.).
The Bay Psalm Book, 15th ed., 1711
ASMI 41
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The fifteenth edition. Boston: printed by B. Green, for Samuel Phillips at the brick shop at the head of King Street. 1711.
378, [4]+ p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 377-78, The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 378, [379]-[82], music.
11 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E39518 (MWA). MWA (lacks all after p. [382]), RPJCB (lacks all after p. [382]).
NOTE: The introductory 'Tunes of the Psalms' gives the titles of the missing tunes, and the tablulation includes them.
The Bay Psalm Book, 16th ed., 1713
ASMI 42
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The sixteenth edition. Boston: printed by John Allen, f[or] Eleazer Phillips, in Butlers-row, at the lower-end of King-Street. 1713.
378. [4]+ p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as 15th ed. (No. 41).
Music apparently same as 15th ed.
E1725 (MWA). MWA (lacks all after p. [382]).
ASMI 42A
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The sixteenth edition. Boston: printed by John Allen, for Samuel Gerrish, at the Sign of the Buck in Marlborough-Street. 1713.
376+ p.
E39557 (no copy on Readex). RPJCB (lacks p. 363-68 and all after 376, incl. music).
The Bay Psalm Book, 17th ed., 1716
ASMI 43
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs... The seventeenth edition. Boston: printed by B. Green, for Benjamin Eliot, and sold at his shop in King-Street, 1716.
378, [6] p. Music printed from relief cut; p. [384] signed, 'F.M.: Sculpt.
P. 377-78, "The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 378, [379]-[84], music. Music printed from same relief cut as 13th ed., 1706.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
5 Core Repertory.
E1798 (MHi). MHi.
The Bay Psalm Book, [18th ed.]
ASMI 44
[The Bay Psalm Book, 18th ed.]
Not in Evans. No copy located.
The Bay Psalm Book, 19th ed., 1718
ASMI 45
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs The nineteenth edition. Boston: printed by T. Crump, for Benjamin Gray, at the corner shop over against the north side of th[e] town-house. 1718.
382+ p.
E1945 (MWA). MWA (lacks music).
ASMI 45A
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The nineteenth edition. Boston: printed by T. Crump, for John Edwards, and sold at his shop over against the south-side of the town-house. 1718.
378, [4]+ p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 377-78, "The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 378, [379]-[82], music.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). NjPT (lacks all after p. [382]).
NOTE: The introductory "Tunes of the Psalms' gives the titles of the missing tunes, and the tabulation includes them.
The Bay Psalm Book, 20th ed., 1720
ASMI 46
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twentieth edition. Boston: printed by T. Fleet, for D. Henchman, over against the brick meeting-house. 1720.
378, [6] p. Music printed from relief cut. Contents same as 17th ed. (No. 43).
12 monophonic tunes; textless. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E2095 (MWA). MWA, VIU.
The Bay Psalm Book, 20th ed., 1722
ASMI 47
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twentieth edition. Boston: printed by J. Franklin, for D. Henchman at the corner shop over against the brick church in Cornhill. 1722.
312 p. Music printed from relief cut. P. 305-6, 'The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 307-12, music.
11 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
7 Core Repertory.
E2317 (MHi). CtY (lacks t-p.; copy signed by John Stickney, q.v.), MHi*.
The Bay Psalm Book, 21st ed., 1726
ASMI 48
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-first edition[.] Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, & T. Green, for D. Henchman, at his shop in Cornhill. 1726.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 301-2, The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 303-9, music.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No ist pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
6 Core Repertory.
E2729 (MWA). Copies in MB (inc.), MWA (b.w. Tufts, An Introduction, 5th ed., 1726).
ASMI 48A
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-first edition. Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, & T. Green, for Gilliam Phillips, and sold at his shop in King-Street. 1726.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
E39841 (no copy on Readex). NN.
ASMI 48B
The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-first edition. Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, & T. Green, for N. Buttolph, at his shop in Cornhill. 1726.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
E39840 (no copy on Readex). ViU*.
ASMI 48c
The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-first edition. Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, & T. Green, for J. Franklin, and sold at his shop in Union-Street. 1726.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). CtHT-W".
The Bay Psalm Book, 22d ed., 1729
ASMI 49
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-second edition. Boston: printed for J. Phillips at the Stationers Arms, next door to Mr. Dolbiers near the dock. 1729.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 301-2, "The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 303-9, music.
Music same as 21st ed. (No. 48).
E3134 (DLC). CtY, DLC, MB, MHi.
ASMI 49A
The Psalms Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-second edition. [Bos]ton: printed for T. Green at New-London. 1729.
2 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
E39905 (no copy on Readex), MB (t.-p. mutilated).
ASMI 49B
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-second edition. Boston: printed for N. Belknap at the corner of Scarlets-wharffe. 1729.
1 p.l., 309 p. Music printed from relief cut.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). NjPT*.
The Bay Psalm Book, 23d ed., 1730
ASMI 50
The Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-third edition. Boston: printed for D. Henchman over against the brick meeting-house in Cornhil. 1730.
1 p.l., 346 p. Music printed from relief cut.
P. 338-39, 'The Tunes of the Psalms'; p. 340-46, music.
12 monophonic tunes; full text. No attribs. No 1st pr. identified. All traced to non-American sources.
17 Core Repertory.
E3255 (MHi). CSmH, MHi, NN, NNUT, VIU.
The Bay Psalm Book, 24th ed., 1737
ASMI 51
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty fourth edition. Boston, N.E. Printed by S. Kneeland & T. Green, for the booksellers. 1737.
1 p.l., 346 p., 12 1., pr. on alternate facing versos and rectos. L. 1-12 engraved
Solfa syllables engraved over each note.
L. 1-12, music.
39 compositions for 3 voices (2 for 2, since middle staff not filled in); textless. No attribs. 3 1st Am. pr. identified (HEREFORD, MEAR, PSALM 68). American compo-sition (PSALM 100 NEW), 38 traced to non-American sources.
15 Core Repertory (1st Am. pr. MEAR).
E4115 (MWA). MHi (inc.; lacks music), MWA".
ASMI 51A
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty fourth edition. Boston, N.E. Printed by S. Kneeland & T. Green, for S. Eliot, in Cornhill. 1737.
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
E40111 (no copy on Readex). MB (b.w. Tufts, An Introduction, 10th ed., 1738).
ASMI 51B
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty fourth edition. Boston, N.Ε. Printed by S. Kneeland & T. Green, for A. Butler, at the lower end of King-Street. 1737-
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). NjPT (text incomplete).
The Bay Psalm Book, 25th ed., 1742
ASMI 52
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-fifth edition. Printed for Daniel Henchman and Thomas Hancock, in Boston. 1742.
1 p.l., 346 p., 12 1., pr. on alternate facing versos and rectos. L. 1-12 engraved.
Contents same as 24th ed. (No. 51). Music printed from same plates as 24th ed.
Music same as 24th ed.
E4892 (MWA). DLC, MH, MHi (lacks music), MWA, NN (1 p.l., 12 1., 346 p.; music bound in front, not back), NjPT.
The Bay Psalm Book, 26th ed., 1744
ASMI 53
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for T. Hancock, at the Bible & Three Crowns in Ann-Street. 1744-
1 p.l., 346 p., 12 1., pr. on alternate facing versos & rectos. L. 1-12 engraved.
Contents same as 24th ed. (No. 51). Music printed from same plates as 24th ed.
Music same as 24th ed.
E40324 (no copy on Readex). CSmH (inc.), ViU.
ASMI 53A
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty-sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for S. Kneeland and T. Green in Queen Street. 1744.
1 p.l., 346 p., 121.
Contents same as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
E40325 (no copy on Readex). MWA" (lacks music), ViU.
ASMI 53B
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for M. Dennis near Scarlet's wharff. 1744.
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
E_{533} 8 no copy on Readex). Copy in M H^ * (b.w. Tufts, An Introduction, 10th ed., 1738).
ASMI 530C
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for J. Blanchard, at the Bible and Crown, on Dock Square. 1744.
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
E_{5337} (MWA). DLC, MWA*.
ASMI 53D
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for C. Harrison over against the Brazen-Head in Cornhill. 1744.
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
E_{5339} (no copy on Readex). MWA*, ViU (both b.w. Tufts, An Introduction, 11th ed., 1744).
ASMI 538
The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs . . . The twenty sixth edition. Boston: N.E. Printed by J. Draper, for D. Henchman in Cornhill. 1744-
1 p.l., 346 p.
No music.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). CtY (b.w. Tufts, An Introduction, 11th ed., 1744), NjPT*.
ASMI pp.107-115