In 1790 Thomas Collins published a book of psalmody;
- A Collection of Anthems & Psalms, N[un]eaton: John Baraclough (for the author, Thomas Collins, [c. 1790].
This book contains 14 tunes, 3 anthems and a solo piece. BL Ref: H.1028.m.
Only the title page gives us a clue as to his whereabouts in 1790, being Nuneaton, and he would have been a contemporary of Joseph Key. They may even have known each other.
Thomas Collins’s anthems and Psalm tunes are as follows:
| Page | Title | Text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem from Luke I | Blessed be the Lord God of Israel |
| 9 | Anthem from Psalm 34 v.1 | I will always give thanks |
| 14 | Anthem from Ch 13 & 14 of Esther | O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty |
| 26 | Psalm I | The man is blest |
| 28 | Psalm II | Why did the Gentiles tumults raise? |
| 31 | Psalm VI | Lord in thy wrath |
| 32 | Psalm IX | With heart and mouth to thee, O Lord |
| 33 | Psalm XXIII | My Shepherd is the living Lord |
| 35 | Psalm XXXV | Lord plead my cause against my foes |
| 36 | Psalm LI | O Lord, consider my distress |
| 36 | Psalm LXX | O God, to me take heed |
| 37 | Psalm XCII | It is a thing, both good and meet |
| 39 | Psalm XCV | O come, let us lift up our voice |
| 42 | Psalm CXXV | Those that do place their confidence |
| 45 | Psalm CXXX | Lord unto thee I make my moan |
| 46 | Psalm CXXXIII | O what a happy thing it is |
| 48 | Psalm CXLV | Thee will I laud my God and King |
| 48 | Psalm CL | Yield unto God the mighty Lord |
| 49 | Anthem for Christmas Day | All hail and praise the sacred morn |
His music is far more ornate even then Keys’, and is a delight to sing and play. His orchestrations are for woodwind, brass and strings, which would have been a challenge for any country style village band!
John Baraclough, the printer of this book, can be found in the index to The History of Warwickshire by William West (1830):
- BARRACLOUGH, Jno Printer & music seller, Back St, Nuneaton p561
Other of the same name at the time were:
- BARRACLOUGH, Jno Joiner, Bond St, Nuneaton p561
- BARRACLOUGH, Jno Victualler, Bond St, Nuneaton p561
- BARRACLOUGH, Wm. Painter, Church St, Nuneaton p561
- BARACLOUGH, Joseph Carrier to Coventry, Nuneaton p564
The title page of Collins’s music book contains the following charming couplet, which appears to be of his own composition:
When Musick’s notes with steps already move
Thro’ virtues paths, and breathe with heav’nly love;
The rapt’rous mind from earthly mansions flies,
And soars aloft above the starry skies.
A second book of his music was advertised in the first one, but nothing has ever been found.