Duxborough (William Billings)

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  • (Posted 2023-10-07)  CPDL #76133:       
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2023-10-07).   Score information: Letter, 1 page, 50 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Transcribed from The Waterhouse Manuscript. Round-note version of CPDL 76100.
  • (Posted 2023-10-06)  CPDL #76100:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2023-10-06).   Score information: 7 x 10 inches (landscape), 1 page, 52 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Note shapes (4-shape) added. Transcribed from The Waterhouse Manuscript, as "New Haven", copied by Susanna Heath March 17, 1781. This is a later revision of Duxborough, with words by an unknown author as below. Words in this edition are by Isaac Watts 1709, "Not to condemn the souls of men", from Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Hymn 100 of Book 1.
  • (Posted 2014-12-01)  CPDL #33526:     
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2014-12-01).   Score information: 7 x 10 in (landscape), 1 page, 48 kB   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape).

General Information

Title: Duxborough
First Line: In vain the wealthy mortals toil
Composer: William Billings
Lyricist: Isaac Watts

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SacredPsalm-tune   Meter: 88. 88 (L.M.)

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1770 in The New-England Psalm-Singer
    2nd published: 1778 in The Singing Master's Assistant
    3rd published: 1779 in Music in Miniature, no. 18
    Manuscript 1780 – 1781 in The Waterhouse Manuscript, no. 20
Description: Originally published in The New-England Psalm-Singer, 1770, p. 8, without words. Revised in 1778, with words added from Isaac Watts, 1709, Hymn 24 (Book 1). in 1781, it appeared in The Watershed Manuscript. In a manuscript copied 1781, there was a revision of Duxborough (Billings 1770, 1778, 1779) with improved harmony, a better key (f#), and better rhythm (6:4). Why was this version not published? The words below were supplied by Heath in 1781, by an anonymous author.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at In vain the wealthy mortals toil and Not to condemn the sons of men.

English.png English text

Come now, my soul, my heart and tongue,
Come join my muse, my voice, my song,
To praise the power that rules the skies;
My soul the highest notes would raise.