E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Do (to rhyme with go).
The first or tonic note of the solfeggio system of music.
1
Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, Italian; ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, French. The latter are borrowed from a hymn by Paulus Piaconus, addressed to St. John, which Guido, in
the eleventh century, used in teaching singing:
“Ut queant laxis, Re-sonare fibris,
Mi-ra gestorum Fa-muli tuorum,
Sol-ve pollutis La-biis reatum.”
2
Sanctë Joannës.
Ut-tered be thy wondrous story,
Re-prehensive though I be,
Me make mindful of thy glory,
Fa-mous son of Zacharee;
Sol-ace to my spirit bring,
La-bouring thy praise to sing.
E. C. B.
(See WEIZIUS in Heortologio, p. 263.) Le Maire added si (seventeenth century). (See ARETINIAN SYLLABLES.)
