THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

“MEADOWS”
WARE LANE
LYME REGIS

25.IV.57

Dear Uncle Ralph,

Many thanks for yr. letter.  I have sent off the three ‘In Tenebris’ songs to Scott Goddard.¹ With regard to the two Hardy settings in this group, I have set the whole of the ‘In Tenebris’ poem No 1 (the one that starts ‘Wintertime nights;’) & the whole of ‘Wessex Heights’ except for the last verse but one (the verse starting ‘As for one rare fair woman’).
About the two Coleridge Songs, I’m ashamed to say I’ve no second copy but I’m writing off to Norman Fulton to ask if West Region will lend the copies they have made for the original performance Margaret Field-Hyde gave it at Bristol.  If they still have them I feel sure he will do this and I’ll then forward them straight on to Scott Goddard.  Will you take it that this is alright unless I write to tell you I’ve failed? 
Frank Thistleton has just sent me the complete programme of songs and I’m delighted with it – just the mixture of old & new that I would like to hear, and so well varied!
With our love to you both,
Yours ever

Robin

1. Critic and writer on music. He wrote for The News Chronicle and contributed articles to Grove’s Dictionary of Music 5th ed.  Milford was a composer and former pupil of VW.