These songs were originally composed as part of the cycle 'Les Illuminations op 18', but they were withdrawn by the composer. They have been edited by Colin Matthews from the composer's manuscript short score and are now available for the first time in print. Matthews has scored the fragments for high voice and strings.

This publication includes the full score and the edited piano part/short score.

Recorded on "Unknown Britten" (NMC Records: NMC D140), by Sandrine Piau (soprano) and the Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair.