Worked away quietly on a song (5)

I believe the answer is:

plied

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'worked away' is the definition.
'plied' can be an answer for 'worked' (to ply is to work with a tool). I'm not sure about the 'away' bit.

'quietly on a song' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'a song' becomes 'lied' (type of German song).
'p'+'lied'='PLIED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plied that I've seen before include "Regularly went" , "Worked steadily at (a trade)" , "Did regularly cross" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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