I think I'm a history geek.

Since we're all history fans here at Little House Club Online, I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you my latest geek-out moment. Last night, I chanced upon this song by Henry Purcell, a 17th-century English composer.

While reading the lyrics, I noticed in the description that it was originally published in a periodical called the "Gentleman's Journal" in the June 1692 issue. Being a bit of an internet sleuth, I found that I could read this very issue of the periodical in question on a database called WorldCat, through my university library. Here's an image of the original sheet music. (Many school and public libraries subscribe to WorldCat

Isn't it amazing that we can find all these historical things online at the click of a button? We are the first generation in the history of the world to have such comprehensive access to information about the lives of people at every other time in history. It is possible as never before to live vicariously in any time or any place. And personally, I love having this ability. Call me a nerd or whatever. (It's no secret, I am.)

It's also incredible that the stuff we write music about hasn't changed at all. Many things change over time, but people as a whole aren't one of them. Henry Heveningham's lyrics may sound antiquated to speakers of modern English, but the thoughts they express are universal. Likewise, Henry Purcell's Baroque rhythms and harmonies may seem out-of-date to modern listeners, but the emotions the music evokes are also universal. 

Technology, then, has made the world smaller than ever by making historical items from every time and place (books, music, images, ...) available to everyone with an internet connection. Isn't that amazing?! 

Looking forward to more historical adventures with you! 

Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth

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