In this new series of English Baroque Songs is presented a selection of solo songs from the late seventeenth century through to the end of the continuo era about a century later. Henry Purcell had dominated English vocal music during his lifetime, but in the decades after his death, a large number of lyric composers were at work, many of them capable of writing excellent songs. The emphasis in the items presented here is not on historical importance, but rather on previously unpublished pieces that we are confident present-day performers and audiences can enjoy. We trust that these songs will find their way into the repertoire of both Baroque specialists and all-round recitalists.