Blackbird   John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr Daryl Runswick

A sonorous arrangement of the Beatles’ classic sung by the King’s Singers – listen out for the flurry of wings!

 

Bluebird   Words Mary E Coleridge, music Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

Stanford is claimed as one of the great English composers and teachers; his students included Holst and Vaughan Williams. He wrote both theatre and church music, including 10 operas and numerous part-songs written for the new upsurge of amateur choirs born of the Industrial Revolution. It was reckoned that every amateur singer in the country sang his music.

 

Wild Mountainside   John Douglas, arr F Bernstein

John Douglas is a member of Scottish band the Trashcan Sinatras. He wrote this song to woo Eddi Reader, who was moved to join him in Scotland and also recorded it.

 

I Meant to Do   Words by Richard le Galliene (1866-1947), music F Bernstein

A sentiment we can all identify with, beautifully put by English author and poet Richard le Galliene.

 

Big Yellow Taxi    Joni Mitchell, arr F Bernstein

Definitely the best environmental warriors’ song ever written.

 

Letsatsi   Joe Mogotsi, arr P Bartholomew

This song in Sesotho is about the beauty of the mountains, oceans, thunderstorms and skies. It comes from South Africa, where it was performed by 1950s male harmony group the Manhattan Brothers.