Alasdair Clayre was a British man of many talents: author, broadcaster, singer-songwriter, and academic. He was educated at Oxford University and was a Prize Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Clayre took his own life in 1985 by jumping in front of a train. The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... All Souls College (in full: The College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed, of Oxford) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. ...

Clayre's books include The Heart of the Dragon, based on a TV series he produced, wrote, directed and presented about China at a time when the country was just opening up to the West; Nature and Industrialisation; and Work and Play. He also compiled a songbook, 100 Folk Songs and New Songs.

Clayre recorded two albums of songs including many of his own compositions: Alasdair Clayre (Elektra) and Adam and the Beasts (Folkways). He also appears on the Elektra folk song compilation A Cold Wind Blows. His English translation of La Colombe (The Dove) by Jacques Brel has been recorded by Judy Collins and Joan Baez. Another of his compositions, Train Song, has been recorded by Vashti Bunyan. Brel on a cover of Les Adieux à lOlympia concert album (1966) Jacques Brel (April 8, 1929 – October 9, 1978) was a respected Belgian French-speaking singer-songwriter, considered by many as a poet as well, given the power of his lyrics. ... Judy Collins Judith Marjorie Collins (born May 1, 1939 in Seattle, Washington) is an American folk and standards singer. ... Joan Chandos Báez (born January 9, 1941) is an American folk singer and songwriter known for her highly individual vocal style. ... Vashti Bunyan is an English folk singer. ...