THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

March 3 [1947]

Dear Dr McKie
I think that after all I can do you a good souls¹ according to you esteemed specification if you still want it. If so I do² not sure as to how many of the words are usually set – w^d you mind writing out the exact words you want set
Yrs sinc
R Vaughan Williams

1. McKie had asked VW to set the text ‘The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God’ and VW had initially declined – see VWL4954. The anthem was for a service to mark the opening of the Battle of Britain chapel at Westminster Abbey.