In the six-part anthem Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles, from the 1611 collection of Psalms, Songs and Sonnets, the vigorous rhythmic opening is replaced by gentler melodic outlines at the words ‘because his mercy is confirmed upon us’. This, in turn, gives way to new figures, both for ‘and his truth remaineth for ever’ and for the lengthy and dramatic ‘Amen’. Little wonder that Squire remarked that Byrd ‘seems rapidly to have made his way’ after his arrival in London.

from notes by William McVicker © 2002