This work investigates the harmonic and melodic potential of the traditional English folk song 'Dives and Lazarus' through a series of orchestral variations. Ralph Vaughan Williams, a central figure in 20th-century British music, utilizes his extensive background in folk song collection to construct a piece that balances modal tradition with modern string orchestration. The composition serves as a formal exploration of how a singular, ancient melody can be transformed through varying textures and rhythmic treatments.

Musicologists and conductors frequently identify this work as a quintessential example of Vaughan Williams's ability to integrate folk idioms into formal concert music. The score is widely regarded as a standard repertoire piece for string orchestras due to its accessible yet sophisticated harmonic language.