of Scotland, particularly highlighting the contributions from both Lowland and Gaelic poets. At the start of this extensive collection, the preface outlines Rogers's goals in bringing together these modern Scottish songs, emphasizing the need for a complete anthology that reflects the nation’s poetic spirit. He notes the previous neglect of the Gaelic bards, aiming to make their works accessible in English. He discusses the merits of various poets, such as John Skinner, and sets the stage for the elaborate selection of songs that will follow. The opening portion establishes a narrative that combines personal reflections on the art of songwriting with an overview of significant Scottish poets, foreshadowing a wealth of lyrical treasures carefully curated for readers interested in Scottish cultural identity and heritage. (This is an automatically generated summary.)