, SONG, a term applied to either a short poetical or musical . position, but most frequently to the two in union.
As denoting a musical composition, song is used, in this country, to signify a vocal melody of any length or character, and not confined to a single movement; and while the solemn air of the oratorio, and the ; aria grande of the Italian opera, are frequently, though erroneously, ; called by this name, the same is on the short, simple ballad.
But this is only one instance among ninny of the defective state of our : musical nomenclature. Of the varieties of song, see AIR, BALLAD, CAN I ZONET. The term however is not absolutely unlimited in its meaning, • for, as regards performance, it is most frequently confined to an air for a ; single voice. Thus • our composers, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, often entitle their productions for more than one voice, ' Part-Songs.' Concerning the songs, or Is6Aut of the Greeks, see Mu= and SCOLIA. Of the Roman song, musically considered, we are without information. Having more of war than of taste in their nature, the
Romans bestowed little thought on music, and coldly adopted what was transmitted by the elegant Greeks. But music, as the term is at present understood, is an art exclusively modern, and cannot be said to have existed till the invention, or at least the use, of counterpoint.
The poetry of modern songs has, in too many instances, degene rated, while the music of them has gradually improved. England, from about the middle of the last century till a recent period, furnished its full share of beautiful songs (this term excluding all airs of greater pretensions) to the general stock. France rather later began to contribute its fair quota ; and however opinions may differ respecting the merit of earlier French melodies, it seems to be agreed that they may now compete with those of most other nations. But it must be admitted that Germany of late years has taken the lead in this, as in higher departments of music.