PACKINGTON'S POUND. AKA - "The Cut Purse." English, Country Dance Tune (3/4 time). A Minor (Raven, Watson): G Dorian (Chappell). Standard. AAB (Raven, Watson): AABBC (Chappell). The air appears in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Barley's New Book of Tabliture (1596), Friesche Lust-Hof (1621), Select Ayres (1659), 180 Loyal Songs (1685), Playford's Pleasant Musical Companion (1687), and John Gay's Beggar's Opera (1729, where it appears as "Thus gamesters united in friendship are found"). Chappell (1859) and Kidson (1922) believe the tune takes its name from one Sir John Packington ("lusty Packington") who wagered he could swim down the Thames from the bridge at Whitehall, Westminster, to the one at Greenwich. However, Queen Elizabeth I, "who had a particular tenderness for handsome fellows," would not allow him to risk himself. The air was originally composed as a courante and is often credited to the Elizabethan composer Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). It was popular for over two hundred years, and numerous ballads were written to it. Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Times), Vol. 1, 1859; pg. 259. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 10 & 63. Watson (A Rollick of Recorders or Other Instruments), 1975; No. 10, pg. 11. Harmonia Mundi 907101, The King's Noyse - "The King's Delight: 17c. Ballads for Voice and Violin Band" (1992).