Vaughan Williams is a favourite composer of mine. My introduction to his music came at the age of eight when I sat at my father’s feet spellbound by the shivery sounds of the Tallis Fantasia.

This book is my own study of the songs of Ralph Vaughan Williams. It was first written in 1979 and I am publishing it celebrate the centennial of the first performance of Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece, On Wenlock Edge, in the Aeolian Hall, London, by tenor Gervase Elwes and the Schwiller Quartet with Frederick Kiddle (piano) 0n 15th November 1909. lts reception was mixed at the time as it was so new and impressionistic for a world used to Stanford, Parry and the great German tradition. I hope music lovers will be with me in spirit in my celebration of a truly wonderful piece of music and if you have not yet made its acquaintance that this book might stir your interest in listening to or performing it.