Howard moved to Highbridge Mill near Cuckfield in Mid-Sussex in 1971. The violin-maker Gilbert Garrett lived in the village and his wife Judith wrote poetry, some of which Howard set in these songs. In 1973 the internationally-famous mezzo-soprano Helen Watts had moved to the cottage next to Highbridge Mill and she encouraged him to write the song-cycle for her to perform.
A re-arrangement was made for Patricia Rozario in a higher key November 2003 (see 542)
5th October 1973 | Helen Watts and the composer, Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield, Sussex
Performed as part of a song recital given by Helen Watts and Howard Blake to raise funds for the repairs to the church steeple |