This lovely song has a beautiful and long history. The words were written as a poem by a North Carolina Minister, Henry Richard McFedyen, in 1925. Then in the 1950's, a man named David Johnson paired the poem with the melody of a tune called Prospect, which was originally published in The Sacred Harp in 1828. Mr. Johnson also changed the original word "fowl" to "bird". Thank you Mr. Johnson! And then, in the 21st Century, I made up a dance to go with the song. I love the way music works, that three centuries of collaboration could happen in that way. I do not know who took that amazing photo of the snowy owl, but I post it with deep gratitude.
I have attached the dance instructions below the lyrics.
The Lone Wild Bird
text by Henry Richard Mc Fadyen in 1925
melody - "Prospect" by Graham
melody first published in The Sacred Harp 1828
The lone wild bird in lofty flight
Is still with thee, nor leaves thy sight
And I am thine, I rest in thee
Great Spirit come and rest in me
The ends of earth are in thy hand
The sea's dark deep, and far off land
And I am thine, I rest in thee
Great Spirit come and rest in me
I have attached the dance instructions below the lyrics.
The Lone Wild Bird
text by Henry Richard Mc Fadyen in 1925
melody - "Prospect" by Graham
melody first published in The Sacred Harp 1828
The lone wild bird in lofty flight
Is still with thee, nor leaves thy sight
And I am thine, I rest in thee
Great Spirit come and rest in me
The ends of earth are in thy hand
The sea's dark deep, and far off land
And I am thine, I rest in thee
Great Spirit come and rest in me
| the_lone_wild_bird_-_dance_instructions_nov_2015.pdf |
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