The result of years of study, teaching and performance, and informed throughout by the author's love of poetry, Nicola Harrison invites the reader to think more expansively about the way they approach and sing English Song. Her work is unique, refreshing, and is certain to change the way singers perform and experience these classic songs. She examines the poetry and lyrics of their songs, taking into account the context in which the words were written - the symbolism, mythologies, religion, philosophy, and the many other influences on the writer - digging deep into the text with fascinating results. Her exploration of English Song is entertaining, witty and illuminating, exploring the magical relationship of words and music, and the way each separate art is painted by the other. 'The way in which music and words become a song is a kind of alchemy - two elements fused in an imaginative process, resulting a new artefact that is self-sufficient and hopefully more than the sum of its parts....focusing the reader's attention on some of the fine poems set to music by Roger Quilter (and other composers), Nicola also reminds us of the myriad of poetical-musical decisions that have gone into their conversion into song. If only for this reason, her book is an invaluable aid to performers.' From the Foreword by Roger Vignoles