Contrary to what the history books tell us, the Plimoth colonists or “Pilgrims” were a highly diverse group of Separatists and Anglicans, religious zealots and irreverent opportunists–many of whom had lived in the Netherlands prior to their emigration, and some of whom were Dutch. They brought with them experiences of music as diverse as their reasons for coming to the New World. Our program follows the settlers from their homes in England’s cities and countryside, to religious refuge in the Netherlands, and onward to their challenging new lives in Plimoth Colony. The settlers worked hard and worshipped in their new town, but also found time to entertain themselves with singing and games.

This album includes music of Morley, Dowland, and van Eyck; spirited catches by Ravenscroft, selections from the Dutch ‘t Uitnemend Kabinet, stirring psalms from the Ainsworth Psalter, and vigorous dance tunes from John Playford’s The English Dancing Master, all performed on period instruments. You'll also hear fictional "diary entries" of our travelers read in original pronunciation.

Recorded in 2018 in the historic 1717 Meetinghouse in West Barnstable, MA. With Michael Barrett, Agnes Coakley Cox, Barbara Allen Hill, Shelley Otis, and Letitia Stevens, readers