A Brown Bird Singing , published in 1922, is second only to The Roses of Picardy in popularity among Wood’s vast oeuvre. With lyrics by composer Royden Barrie, the romantic words are well matched to the touching melody. The song has been recorded many times since it appeared, including a version by jazz songstress Peggy Lee and one arranged for zither. Haydn Wood (1882-1959) earned his reputation as a giant of British light music in the twentieth century through a prolific career that encompassed performance as Violin soloist and conductor and as well as composer of some of the nation’s favourite melodies. Wood was not only was a gifted and popular creator of Orchestral works andmusical theatre, but also the composer more than 200 songs, many of them the greatest hits of their era. A Brown Bird Singing has been arranged for SSA female chorus by Felton Rapley.
