part song

American  

noun

1. a song with parts for several voices, especially one meant to be sung without accompaniment.

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part song British  

noun

1. a song composed in harmonized parts

2. (in more technical usage) a piece of homophonic choral music in which the topmost part carries the melody

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Other Word Forms

• part singing noun

Etymology

Origin of part song

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

There is a ten-minute-long “Amazing Grace,” part song, part sermon, that could come only from someone steeped in the tradition of her father’s Delta whooping.

From The New Yorker

A light part song, or madrigal, with a fa la burden or chorus, Ð most common with the Elizabethan madrigal composers.

From Project Gutenberg

We decided that each school is to learn the part song, 'Now Cheerful Spring Returns', and to sing it one after another.

From Project Gutenberg

We sit on the rocks in the middle of the river, and come home late at night, singing part songs on the top of the coach, with mandolin and guitar accompaniments.

From Project Gutenberg

His works, mostly part songs and other vocal compositions, show great musical knowledge, and amongst the early masters of the German school he holds a high position.

From Project Gutenberg