Great Speckled Bird

Roy Acuff

About Great Speckled Bird

Great Speckled Bird was a country rock group formed in 1969 by the Canadian musical duo Ian & Sylvia. Ian Tyson sang, played guitar and composed. Sylvia Tyson sang, composed and occasionally played piano. The other founding members were Amos Garrett on guitar and occasional vocals, Ben Keith on steel guitar, Ken Kalmusky on bass and Ricky Marcus on drums. They were named after the song, "The Great Speckled Bird", as recorded by Roy Acuff (1938).


Year:
1991
3:01
104 
#2

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1.What a beautiful thought I am thinking
Concerning a great speckled bird
Remember her name is recorded
On the pages of God's Holy Word.

2. All the other birds are flocking 'round her
And she is despised by the squad
But the great speckled bird in the Bible
Is one with the great church of God.

3. All the other churches are against her
They envy her glory and fame
They hate her because she is chosen
And has not denied Jesus' name.

4. Desiring to lower her standard
They watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teachings
But really they find no mistake.

5. She is spreading her wings for a journey
She's going to leave by and by
When the trumpet shall sound in the morning
She'll rise and go up in the sky.

6. In the presence of all her despisers
With a song never uttered before
She will rise and be gone in a moment
Till the great tribulation is o'er.

7. I am glad I have learned of her meekness
I am proud that my name is on her book
For I want to be one never fearing
The face of my Savior to look.

8. When He cometh descending from heaven
On the cloud that He writes in His Word
I'll be joyfully carried to meet Him
On the wings of that great speckled bird.

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Roy Acuff

Roy Claxton Acuff (September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992) was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the "King of Country Music," Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful. more »

1 fan

Written by: GUY MARTIN SMITH

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

History
"Great Speckled Bird" is a hymn originating from Southern American gospel. It was later made immensely popular worldwide by country music singer Roy Acuff in 1936.
Songwriting Credits
Acuff did not write the song, despite it being one of his most notable performances. The song is believed to have originated from Reverend Guy Smith in the early 20th century.
Interpretation
The song is often interpreted as a biblical allegory, with the 'great speckled bird' being a symbol of the Christian Church.
Popularity
Despite it being written as a gospel country song, the "Great Speckled Bird" became popular among both religious and non-religious audiences after Acuff's rendition of the song.
Influence
The song's success played a significant role in popularizing traditional country music and making Roy Acuff one of the genre's earliest stars.
Cover Versions
Many other artists have covered "Great Speckled Bird", including Johnny Cash and Kitty Wells, solidifying its place as a classic country gospel song.
The Grand Ole Opry
Roy Acuff performed "Great Speckled Bird" at the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee. The song's fame helped cement both Acuff's and the Opry's reputation in country music history.
Roy Acuff's Deluxe 78
The version of "Great Speckled Bird" that Acuff recorded for Columbia's budget label 'Harmony' in 1936 sold well over 100,000 copies.
Song Achievements
The song was named one of the top 100 Western songs of all time by the Western Writers of America.
Preservation
"Great Speckled Bird" has been preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, and artistically significant."

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