These five part-songs were composed over ten years from 1903 to 1913 but only the first was published in the composer’s lifetime. Bridge’s early works those written before the first World War were more late Romantic in style warmly expansive than his mature works. These songs display Bridge’s skill and craftsmanship.British composer Frank Bridge was active in the early decades of the 20th century and was a highly respected conductor violist and teacher his sole composition student having been Benjamin Britten. Britten honoured his former teacher in his work Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge based on a theme from one of Bridge’s pieces for String quartet.