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Lucie Skeaping visits the George Inn in Southwark to join a meeting of the Merrie Fellowes Catch Club. With club chairman Patrick Johns, she traces the rise and fall of the catch and the glee and their demise since the 18th century. After the publication of Thomas Ravenscroft's collection of songs, Pammelia, in 1609, the singing of rounds and catches became immensely popular.

One of the most famous composers to indulge in these often licentious verses was Henry Purcell, but there are also other composers represented in this programme, such as William Byrd, Henry Lawes, Lord Mornington, John Isham, Thomas Lant, Maurice Greene and Simon Webbe. But not all catches or glees were based on the age-old triumvirate of Wine, Women and Song - some are settings of religious texts, with attractive harmonies and gentle lilting rhythms.

Playlist:

All music performed by the Merrie Fellowes Catch Club unless otherwise stated.

Purcell: Now, Now We Are Met

John Isham: When Celia was learning on the spinet to play
The City Waites
REGIS RRC 1175, Tr 20

Thomas Lant: Jenkin the Jester

John Hilton: Here lies a woman

Henry Lawes: O Absalom my son

Purcell: Farewell to wives

Purcell: Now, Now We Are Met

Purcell: If all be true that I do think, there are five reasons why we should drink

Purcell: Once, twice, thrice I Julia tried, the scornful puss as oft denied

Purcell: My lady's coachman John, being married to her maid
The Merry Companions
DORIAN DOR-90155, Tr 13

John Eccles: My man John

Maurice Greene: My mistress, horse and wife

Benjamin Cooke: Epitaph on a dormouse
Pro Cantione Antiqua
CONIFER CDCF 145, Tr 2

Thomas Warren: Country sports

Lord Mornington: See, the bowl sparkles

Samuel Webbe (Snr): When winds breathe soft
The Scholars
L'Oiseau Lyre DSLO 33, Side 1, Band 2

Purcell: Tom making a manteau
The City Waites
REGIS RRC 1175, Tr 20

John Wall Calcott: O snatch me swift (excerpt)
The Scholars
L'Oiseau Lyre DSLO 33, Side 2, Band 1

Byrd: Hey ho, to the greenwood.

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