prick song

The point was that it should be extempore; if written down it ceased to be true descant, and was then called 'prick-song.'

Any song which was printed in various parts was called a prick-song, to distinguish it from one sung extemporaneously or by ear.

The word prick-song occurs not only in all the musical books, but in the literature of the time, and in Shakespeare.

Well said, wench; and the prick-song we use shall be our husbands.

Prick-Song, music pricked or noted down, full of flourish and variety.