There is plenty of evidence, though more indirect in kind, that the
lower classes were as enthusiastic about music as the higher. A large
number of passages in contemporary authors shows clearly that singing
in parts (especially of "catches") was a common amusement with
blacksmiths, colliers, cloth-workers, cobblers, tinkers, watchmen,
country parsons, and soldiers.
In _Damon and Pithias_, 1565, Grimme, the _collier_, sings "a bussing
[buzzing] base," and two of his friends, Jack and Will, "quiddel upon
it," _i.e._, they sing the tune and words, while he buzzes the burden.
Peele's _Old Wives Tale_, 1595, says, "This _smith_ leads a life as
merry as a king; Sirrah Frolic, I am sure you are not without some
_round_ or other; no doubt but Clunch [the smith] can _bear his
part_."
Beaumont and Fletcher's _Coxcomb_ has
"Where were the _watch_ the while? good sober gentlemen,
They were, like careful members of the city,
Drawing in diligent ale, and _singing catches_."
Also in B. and F.'s _Faithful Friends_--
"_Bell._--Shall's have a _catch_, my hearts?
_Calve._--Aye, good lieutenant.
_Black._--Methinks a _soldier_[3] should sing nothing else;
_catch, that catch may_ is all our life, you know."
[Footnote 3: Drayton (James I.'s reign) in his "Battle of Agincourt,"
l. 1199, has--"The common Souldiers free-mens _catches_ sing"--of the
French before the battle (_free_men is a corruption of _three_men).
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