Birdsong is a celebration of life. The text comes from a collection of poems written by children who, while incarcerated in the Terezin Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia during the Second World War, wrote of their experiences and their dreams. The text's positive and uplifting message is all the more striking when placed against the backdrop of war and the loss of personal freedom.

The melody, harmonies and rhythms in Birdsong are intended to support the optimistic nature of the text. The melody is simple and clear; the harmonies slightly darker with jazz overtones; the rhythms gentle but suggesting dance and celebration. For treble voices in two parts (SA).