[SONG sb.]

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  1.  A man accustomed to sing songs.

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1603.  Chettle, Eng. Mourn. Garment, D ij b.

        Thou sweetest song-man of all English swaines,
Awake for shame, honour ensues thy paines.

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1631.  Brathwait, Whimzies, Ballad-monger, 10. It would doe a mans heart good to see how twinne-like hee and his songman couple.

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1890.  Baring-Gould, Old Country Life, 260. The old village bard or song-man is rapidly becoming as extinct as the dodo and the great auk.

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  2.  A man who sings in a church choir.

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1883.  Pall Mall Gaz., 18 Sept., 4/2. ‘The Senior Songman’ is a pleasant novel…. It is the story of a quiet cathedral singer.

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1887.  Ch. Times, 11 Nov., 911/4. This great company of prelates and clergy, readers and songmen, was very striking.

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