In the Danyel songs, we have found something so unique and refined; so deep in its art and passions; so unified in its conception, that we felt propelled to share it with the world, and help restore it to its rightful position in the canon of English song. This collection, perhaps for the first time, circles around a single theme, namely the courting of Daphne by Apollo. Anthony Rooley has lately suggested that it can be read as the first song-cycle in England. At the time of the book's composition Danyel was engaged as household musician and tutor to the Grene Family of Great Milton, Oxfordshire. He dedicated his book to the Grene's daughter Anne who was sixteen at the time. In the beautiful and touching dedicatory verse Danyel praises the special intimacy that existed between them, and acknowledges that these songs were written for their own special circumstances, for private entertainment. The many puns on her name hidden throughout the collection make it clear that Danyel saw the mythical Greek lovers as an allegory of his relationship with his student, at least as a cultural topos, if not literally. It was wonderful for us to discover the amount of care taken in writing these songs. We have remained captivated ever since we first encountered them, and discover new depths at every fresh look, even after many hours, days and years spent in their company.

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