THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

22 Marina
St Leonards-on-Sea

Dec 28th [1917]

Dear Sharp

I’ve lately been spending some delightful hours over your American book¹ – a wonderful collection – of course I’ve only studied them “dry” – i.e. just looking at them as I’ve no piano or any instrument here – and one misses many beauties that way.
My favourite I think at present is “The False Young Man” (94A)
I was much interested in the first tune to “Lord Randal” – because I trace a slight family resemblance to the now well known Somerset Tune – which has always puzzled us so much.
I was so sorry to hear of your illness and do so much hope you are well again now – only go slow, we can’t afford to have you breakdown – it wastes time in the end.  As for me – I came back from Salonica last August to try my hand at another trade – Artillery – I wondered if I was crazy to start an absolutely new subject at my age – However after 5 months of pretty strenuous work I have passed my exams & am now on leave awaiting my “pip” – what they will do with me then I have no idea.
We had a sight of Charlie² last time we were in London – it was good to see him well again after all he has been through – or nearly well though of course altered.
Well – to our next meeting & all our best wishes for the new year
Yrs ever

R. Vaughan Williams

1. C.J. Sharp and O.D. Campbell, English folk-songs from the Southern Appalachians (London, 1917).
2. Unidentified.