"sun Bird" - Song From A Children's Songbook

[badhorsey]

This is going back to the early '70s... when I was at infant school we learned a few songs from a song book, and the one that stuck in my head had the lyrics:

"Sun bird tell me a story
Of a day long ago
When the sun left the heavens
And the clouds turned to snow"

Does anyone know this, or who wrote it?

[flipnflap]

could be one of Neil Diamond's songs from Jonathan Livingston Seagull

[badhorsey]

Hah! I didn't even know about that. But no, that's not it. It wasn't recorded, it was in a songbook and I'm guessing this would have been '72-73. It had a vaguely Native American theme about it.

[NightNurse100]

I know exactly which song that is and I'm also searching for the lyrics for my sister who is dying. She wants it at her funeral. We used to sing it as children in 1970's and I remember it was in a folky type book at school. I still know most if the words & tune. Will keep searching & post back if I find it.

[AngieM]

My cousin taught me this song years ago as a child in the 80s. She passed away in October and ever since I have been searching for the lyrics; I feel such a connection to her through this song. I only remember the verse posted by badhorsey and this one:

Then the king had to leave her/And he never returned/She became lovely sunbird/And keeps singing her song.

NightNurse100, I feel for you... how is your sister? If you could post whatever lyrics you have I'd really appreciate it.

[JennyS]

I remember singing this song too - I can add a little but it was 30 years ago...

To a girl in a village came a king robed(dressed?) in gold , they were happy together, so the story was told.

We will eventually get it! I'll check with my sister, I remember her singing it.

[AngieM]

Thank you JennyS, I am very hopeful. :-)

[Bev66]

Then the king had to leave her and he never returned but the heavens where shining and the golden sun burned.
To a girl left alone now, waiting days were so long she became lovely sunbird and keeps singing this song x

[AngieM]

Thank you Bev66 - we have 4 stanzas now! Does anyone know how many there are in total?

[JASONRICH]

Sun bird tell me the story
Of a day long ago
When the sun left the heavens
And the clouds turned to snow

To a girl in a village
Came a king dressed in gold
He became lovely sun bird
So the story was told

Then the king had to leave her
And he never returned
But the heavens were shining
And the Golden Sun burned

For the girl in the villlage
Waiting days were so long
She became lovely sunbird
And keeps singing this song

[JoannJenkins]

I remember the songbook and the song Sunbird. As far as I can remember there are only those 4 verses. I also remember 2 other songs in that book. When a knight won his sparred and Said Joseph to Mary. Beautiful songs that are still with me today. Does anyone else remember them?

[AngieM]

Thank you Jason and Jenny. Indeed the song has 4 stanzas, which for the most part we have managed to piece together here! One more piece of information (courtesy of Lindsey Music) - Douglas Coombes is the composer, and the lyricist is John Emlyn Edwards. The song's correct lyrics are below.

1 Sunbird tell me the story
Of a day long ago,
When the sun left the heavens,
And the clouds turned to snow

2 To a girl in a village
Came a king robed in gold
They were happy together
So the story was told.

3 Then the king had to leave her
And he never returned,
But the heavens were shining
And the golden sun burned.

4 For the girl, left alone, now,
Waiting days were so long
She became lovely sunbird,
And keeps singing her song.

Joann, I was taught one of the songs you are looking for in 2nd grade; here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_a_Knight_Won_His_Spurs

[drweaver]

I too sang this - in junior school. It was the first song I ever sang in public - that would have been in the very early 80s. My grandmother, who died in 2008, said she had never heard it before nor since, but that it made her cry. I'm still looking for the music. My family believes there may be a tape of my version somewhere, not that I'm too optimistic about my performance. It's amazing, however, to know that there are others who remember it. I hope the puzzle can be pieced together, and that we can have the song back in full.

[Trebor1964]

I too remember this well. I'm sure it was 1972. It was on a morning schools radio show ( one of those meter sqare flat wooden boxes with a speaker in the middle) it was about 11am in the morning for some reason Thursday rings a bell. There was a songbook we all followed, learning a new song each week. The book had Mexican style graphics and I rember another song which was upbeat about someone called Sam, we had wooden instruments to play along. It was upbeat. The sunbird song had just hhe four verses. so glad I've finally found others who remember this as it's haunted me for years

[Fatherscott]

That song came from BBC schools prog called Time and Tune, the cantata is called La Campanelita. I have pamphlets and a recording of it. Its really lovely
Scott

[badhorsey]

If anyone is still following this thread:

I’ve found the sheet music for this. I came across a bookseller who had a set of 25 of these books, including the Spring 1973 one – which is what we’re looking for. It also includes Summer 1973, Wildlife, and this is one that I remember well – there was a song about a fox in it that I loved as a kid, but I can’t remember the tune or words. The second that I saw the cover though, I recognised it. I can’t wait to finally play these pieces after 43 years.

If anybody wants a copy, let me know – I can be contacted via my website, www.antonuzzo.com (go to the ‘About’ section).

[AngieM]

Scott and bad horsey, those are amazing finds. It would be wonderful to have an audio version somewhere online before this beautiful song vanishes into oblivion! Any chance you could upload your recording / playing on YouTube or someplace online?

[JoeDoc64]

Many thanks for the lyrics. Very fond memories from Primary school (1970-76) singing this and other songs. I also remember singing "Yellow bird". Another I "think" called - "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree". Another song again rings a bell with the words "On the island of Mindoro..." but alas I don't know its name. If anyone knows please let me know. Ooohh...and if anyone knows the name of the songbooks that'd be great as I'd like to try to trace it...unsure if it was a bbc one "Singing Together" Many thanks again. Joe.

[Tairaruth]

I remember that song, and the first verse to “Yellow Bird” in the same cantata. Cantata was set in Peru.

Yellow Bird lyrics to first verse (or chorus) was ;

Yellow Bird, high up in banana tree. Yellow Bird, you sit all alone like me. Did your lady friend leave her nest again? That is very sad, makes me feel so bad. But you can fly away in the sky a way, you’re more lucky than
I.”

Sunbird has stayed with me for forty years or so. Was one of the few solid memories of that time. Lovely to find the name of the composer & lyricist and others who remember it after all these years.