Of all the instruments, Z 263 (Henry Purcell)

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  • (Posted 2012-08-27)  CPDL #27007:  Network.png
Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2012-08-27).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 70 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: This edition comprises this catch in both abbreviated and fully written-out formats. Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. Also included in 10 catches & A catch by way of an epistle.

General Information

Title: Of all the instruments
Composer: Henry Purcell
Lyrics: Anon

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: TTT
Genre: SecularCanon

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1693

Description: The humour of this item derives not from revealed obscenity (unless a "wet zingle" is an obscure term of sexual reference) but from the (even more) nugatory device of onomatopoeia.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Of all the instruments that are,
None can with the viol compare.
Mark how the strings their order keep,
With a "whet, whet, whet" and a "sweep, sweep, sweep".
But above all, this still abounds,
With a "Zingle, zing" and a "zit zat zounds".