Shirley Collins

Shirley Collins is an English folk singer known for her plain, modal delivery of traditional English ballads and rural songs. Active from the mid 20th century, she played a prominent role in the British folk revival, collecting and performing older material and often singing unaccompanied or with sparse, historically informed arrangements, including collaborations with her sister Dolly Collins. Her approach emphasized preservation of traditional texts and melodies and influenced later generations of folk and contemporary singers.