Flying High, Flying Free
Before Leon captured his own version of this song in 1994, it had already been recorded by Roy Bailey, and had earlier appeared in the songbook, Birds & Beasts, for which it was originally commissionsed, courtesy of Sheena Roberts. The song delights in the free migration of animals, setting into contrast the regulated world of children, ruled by a clock ("ticking" them off), and carries a strong, attractive melody line. In Leon's reading (on Questions) lead vocalist is Liz Mansfield.
“I was asked to sing a song about migration for A&C Black’s songbook for schools, ‘Birds and Beasts’. I pondered the problem of conveying information in song form. A direct approach does not usually make for a very interesting song. The only way I could make the song work was by picturing a young girl watching a row of swallows at the end of summer and trying to express, with as much visual detail as possible, her thoughts and feelings. But, of course, the language is not that of the child.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p40)
Recordings
Cover version (1989)
Version 1 (1994) Sung by Liz Mansfield
- Why Does It Have to Be Me? (LP) (1989) Version by Roy Bailey
Version 1 (1994) Sung by Liz Mansfield
Sheet music
- Birds and Beasts: Animal Songs, Games and Activities (songbook) (1987) Book by Sheena Roberts. Further details not known.
- Bringing the News from Nowhere p66