Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the format of the songbook?
A. Letter-sized, approximately 60 pages, spiral bound with an inoffensive beige cover.
Q. Does the songbook contain sheet music?
A. Sheet music is included for every song. Most are four-part arrangements.
Q. How much?
A. Copies are available for $5 (Canadian) from me IN PERSON ONLY. The $5 only covers the cost of photocopying; I do not make any money from this.
Q. Can I order a copy? Will you send me a copy?
A. I do not accept orders, will not send people copies, and will not reserve copies for people. The only way to get a copy is to show up at an event that I'm at, where I have the songbooks, and get it from me in person. First come first served. Donations are also gratefully accepted towards the cost of "loaner" copies.
Q. Is it available online? Can you email me a copy?
A. There is no digital version of the songbook as a whole, but you can find many of the songs from it on this website.
Q. Can I borrow a copy?
A. I have a few loaner copies which will be available at events where I'm trying to get singing happening.
Q. Can I redistribute the songbook?
A. Most of the music came from Master Samuel Piper's collection, which is free for non-profit use within the SCA. A few are of slightly more dubious provenance, but since all the songs are from hundreds of years ago, I think it very unlikely that there would be any copyright problems.
Here is the copyright notice and terms of use for Samuel Piper's arrangements:
All sheet music is (c) Steven Hendricks. This music can be freely used for educational / SCA (re-enactment) use. The sole restriction being that this is the work of Steve Hendricks and that any recordings or sale of this music is not allowed without express permission.
If in doubt, please contact me at katherine@elizabethangeek.com.
Q. What sort of music is included?
A. The songs I have included mostly meet the following criteria:
- Published in SCA period, or just after (those from the 17th century do not contain obvious references to out-of-period events or topics such as the English Civil War)
- Mostly in English
- Can be sung with just the melody line (no part-singing required)
- Known to me, or to other local singers
- Accessible subject matter (many are about booze, sex, hunting and fighting; some are love songs; a very few are religious or political)
- A mixture of ballads, rounds, and more formal styles
Contents
- An Amorous Dialogue between John and his Mistress
- Belle qui tiens ma vie
- The Boar's Head Carol
- Blow thy horn, hunter
- Cast Care Away
- Come again
- Come you pretty false-eye'd wanton
- Coventry carol
- Dona Nobis Pacem
- The famous rat-catcher
- Fine knacks for ladies
- Fortune my foe
- Gaudete
- The hunt is up
- I am athirst
- I care not for these ladies
- In Dulci Jubilo
- Joan Glover
- The Joviall Broome Man
- The little barley-corn
- Lord Willoughby's welcome home
- Martin said to his man
- My thing is my own
- Now is the month of maying
- Of all the birds that ever I see
- Pastime with good company
- Since first I saw your face
- Sumer is icumen in
- There were three ravens
- Tomorrow is St Valentines Day
- Watkins Ale
- We be three poor mariners
- Yonder comes a courteous knight
Future plans
Planned for inclusion in the next edition (ugh, am I crazy or what?):
- Agincourt Carol
- April is in my Mistress' face
- Angelus ad virginem (14C version)
- Back and sides go bare
- Bring us in good ale
- Come follow me (to the gallows tree)
- Da pacem, Domine
- Early one morning (?)
- Fi maris, de vostre amour
- Green grow'th the holly
- Greensleeves
- Hey Ho Nobody Home
- Hey Robin
- Jenkin the Jester
- The keeper would a-hunting go
- Lullay lullay, as I lay on Yoolis night
- Non Nobis Domine (original Byrd version)
- Nowell sing we
- O Mistress Mine
- Puer Nobis Nascitur / Unto us is born a son
- Stella Splendens
- Sur le pont d'Avignon
- Tempus Adest Floridum
- Tempus est Iocundum
- Three country dances in one dance
- We be soldiers three
- While shepherds watched their flocks by night (?)