A ROUND ON A ROUNDEL

The singing of rounds was a popular entertainment at the end of a meal. A simple one-verse song was repeated, usually in unison for a few times to make sure all knew the words and the tune. Then the company would be divided (by one acting as a conductor) into groups –often four. They would then sing again, this time each group coming in as the previous one had finished the first bar. The tune was composed so that as each bar was sung, it harmonised with the others.  After a few times through, the conductor could end the round either by bringing all to a stop on a final chord, or letting each group sing their part a set number of times - and so drop off one by one until the last group sings the last bar alone.

Banqueting trenchers were thin wooden roundels used for the final course of the Jacobean dinner. They were usually plain on one side; the side on which fruit, cheese, and sweetmeats were served. At the end of the course, the trencher was turned over. The other side was either painted with an emblem and a verse, or had an engraved print pasted to it. (In 1654 the stock of the London print-seller Peter Stent included 12 Plates[engravings] for cheez trenchers.)  Rounds would be very suitable subjects for the back of a roundel.  Rose, rose is a typical Tudor round in four parts.

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Perhaps you might like to learn the round – or even cut out the roundel. This page will automaically play five rounds and then stop...  Please feel free to download and MP3 and the printable sheet.

Download Rose Rose mp3        Printable Sheet PDF