The Great Speckled Bird (song)

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"The Great Speckled Bird"
Written by	Guy Smith
Language	English
Form	AABA 12 bars
Original artist	Roy Acuff 1936
Recorded by	Johnny Cash

"The Great Speckled Bird" was written by The Reverend Guy Smith. This song is in the form of AABA and has a 12 bar count. It is based on Jeremiah 12:9, "Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour." It was recorded in 1936 by Roy Acuff. It was also later recorded by Johnny Cash (in 1959), Hank Locklin (1962), Bert Southwood [in 1990], and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Both the song and the passage from Jeremiah may be a poetic description of mobbing behavior. One version of this great church song has the following lyrics:

1.

What a beautiful thought I am thinking

Concerning the Great Speckled Bird

Remember her name is recorded

On the pages of God's Holy Word

Refrain:

With all the other birds flocking around her

She is so despised by them all

The Great Speckled Bird in the Bible

Representing the great Church of God

2.

In trying to lower her standards

They watch every move that she makes

They long to find fault with her teachings

But really they find no mistakes

3.

I am glad I have learned of her meekness

I am proud that my name's on her book

For I want to be one never fearing

On the face of my Savior to look

4.

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

{Repeat} :On the wings of that great speckled bird

This song is in the form of AABA and has a 12 bar count.