No 9 BRIXHAM TOWN

1 All ye that love to hear Music performed in air, Pray listen, and give ear, To what I shall perpend. Concerning music, who'd,— If rightly understood— Not find 'twould do him good To hearken and attend. 2 In Brixham town so rare For singing sweet and fair, Few can with us compare, We bear away the bell. Extolled up and down By men of high renown, We go from town to town; And none can us excell. 3 There's a man in Brixham town Of office, and in gown, Strove to put singing down, Which most of men adore. For House of God unmeet, The voice and organ sweet! When pious men do meet, To praise their God before. 4 Go question Holy writ, And you will find in it, That seemly 'tis and fit, To praise and hymn the Lord. On cymbal and on lute, On organ and on flute, With voices sweet, that suit; All in a fair concord. 5 In Samuel you may read How one was troubled, Was troubled indeed, Who crown and sceptre bore; An evil spirit lay On his mind both night and day, That would not go away, And vexed him very sore. 6 Then up and uttered one, Said, "Jesse hath a son, Of singers next to none; David his name they say." "So send for David, fleet, To make me music sweet, That the spirit may retreat, And go from me away." 7 Now when that David, he King Saul had come to see, And playèd merrily. Upon his stringèd harp, The Devil in all speed, With music ill agreed, From Saul the King, he fleed, Impatient to depart. 8 Now there be creatures three As you may plainly see With music can't agree Upon this very earth The swine, the fool, the ass, And so we let it pass And sing, O Lord, thy praise Whilst we have breath. 9 So now, my friends, adieu! I hope that all of you Will pull most strong and true, In strain to serve the Lord. God prosper us, that we Like angels may agree, In singing merrily In tune and in accord.