Varèse Sarabande presents a Deluxe Encore Edition of the 2CD soundtrack to The Thorn Birds, Henry Mancini’s television masterpiece.

The Thorn Birds became the second-highest rated miniseries of all time when it aired in March 1983, behind only Roots. Based on the 1977 book by Colleen McCullough, the four-part program told the multigenerational story of the Cleary family, settlers in the Australian Outback of the early to mid-20th century, and the forbidden love of matriarch Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward) and the family priest, Father Ralph de Briscassart (Richard Chamberlain). The all-star production won six Emmys, with a further ten nominations including Mancini’s score.

For a career full of landmark achievements in television—from Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky to the miniseries The Moneychangers—The Thorn Birds is Mancini’s crown jewel. His score is as intimate as it is epic, with a lilting, Irish-flavored dulcimer theme for the Cleary family’s Irish roots and the beauty of the Australian countryside, as well as a bittersweet love theme, given lyrics by Will Jennings as “Anywhere the Heart Goes.” From the haunting moments of introspection to the large-scale setpieces, The Thorn Birds is as good as it gets.

Varèse Sarabande’s 2-CD Deluxe Encore Edition corrects the missing dulcimer melody of the main title from the original 2004 release, and is remastered for better sound and careful removal of sonic artifacts. Liner notes are by television music authority Jon Burlingame.

Disc One
01. The Thorn Birds Theme: Main Title (4:15)
02. Go! (1:14)
03. Drogheda (1:34)
04. Young Meggie (1:29)
05. Ralph, Meggie and Mary (2:23)
06. Stuie Grows Up (1:27)
07. Paddy and Fiona (2:44)
08. Passion Play (3:21)
09. The Story of The Thorn Birds (2:15)
10. Meggie Grows Up (1:31)
11. Baby Hal Dies (3:02)
12. The Rams and the Ewes (2:04)
13. Parting (1:52)
14. The Thorn Birds Theme (2:34)
15. Fire On Drogheda (2:41)
16. Search for Paddy (3:05)
17. Father Ralph Returns and Funeral Procession (2:36)
18. Meggie's Heartbreak (4:01)
19. It's Shearing You're Hearing (4:17)
20. Luke and Meggie (2:31)
21. Marry Me, Meggie (2:17)
22. Arrival at the Vatican (2:02)
23. The Announcement (0:50)

Disc Two
01. Meggie Leaves Drogheda (1:19)
02. Arrival at Queensland (2:10)
03. Beginning of the End (2:26)
04. Welcome to Himmelhock (1:50)
05. New Kid In Town (1:20)
06. Matlock Island (3:22)
07. Beach Walk (2:27)
08. Forbidden Love (1:37)
09. Ralph and Meggie (1:55)
10. Paradise Lost (3:08)
11. Vacation's End (3:28)
12. Meggie Leaves the Himmelhocks (1:42)
13. Meggie Goes Home (2:43)
14. Photographs (2:14)
15. Together (1:09)
16. Good-bye, Dane (2:04)
17. Justine Visits Drogheda (1:28)
18. The Greek Tragedy (1:33)
19. Bye Bye Dane (1:43)
20. Loss of a Son (2:52)
21. Meggie Reveals the Truth (5:04)
22. Be Happy (5:10)
23. Ralph Dies (3:34)
24. End Title (0:43)

Bonus Track:
25. Anywhere the Heart Goes (2:28)
Bonus Track, Lyric by Will Jennings