English Folk Songs for Chorus and Orchestra

• Vaughan William’s three English folk songs for chorus and orchestra were likely written in 1912 during a period when the composer was particularly motivated to revive the genre and preserve these native songs. Between 1911-12, Vaughan Williams made over thirty folk song arrangements.
• The three songs included in this set:
  1. Tarry Trowsers
  2. The Carter
  3. Ward of the Pirate
• Vaughan Williams was at the forefront of the folk song revival among English composers of the early 20th century.
• These three folk songs remain unpublished to this day.¹

Lyrics for the three English folk songs (page 9)

1. Robert Matthew-Walker, Notes in accompanying booklet, Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 6 & 8 performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Chorus conducted by Martyn Brabbins, Hyperion 68396, 2022, compact disc.