Mick Fleetwood honors late Christine McVie on 80th birthday with touching 'Songbird' cover

Mick Fleetwood, founding member and drummer of Fleetwood Mac, is honoring his late bandmate Christine McVie on what would have been her 80th birthday.

Fleetwood released a touching instrumental version of McVie's "Songbird" Wednesday with ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro. The duo laid down the track in the spring at Fleetwood's studio in Maui, Hawaii, according to a release. Shimabukuro suggested they record "Songbird."

“We cut it in April, and it turned out beautifully, but there was no plan yet to release it," Fleetwood said in the release. "But when I heard about Christine’s upcoming birthday, it felt like the right time to share this as a tribute to all the lovely music she created, both on her own and with Fleetwood Mac.”

While the version is instrumental, it starts with a message: "For you, there will be no more crying. For you, the sun will be shining, and the songbirds keep singing, like they know the score. And I love you. I love you like never before. Like never before."

And it concludes with another: "As the songbird sings, now from the heavens, to you Christine, I wish you all the love in the world. But, most of all, I wish it from myself. I wish it from myself."

"Songbird" is considered McVie’s signature song for good reason, the piano ballad is striking in its beauty. Her voice pure and faultless as she sings what is part heartbreaking farewell (“I wish you all the love in the world”) and romantic paean (“And the songbirds are singing, like they know the score”). Fleetwood Mac typically stationed McVie in the spotlight at the end of their concerts to leave the audience with this unpretentious creation of musical magic.

These 5 were her best: Christine McVie wrote many of Fleetwood Mac's greatest songs

The song was initially released on the groups "Rumours" album in 1977. And it's been a favorite of Fleetwood Mac fans — as a result, Fleetwood was hesitant to reinterpret the hit.

“When something is that well known, it becomes hallowed ground to a certain extent. But when we did it, I remember there was a hush when we listened back, and we felt that we had touched on something," he said.

McVie, co-singer, keyboardist and critical songwriter of Fleetwood Mac, died last year.

The 79-year-old “passed away peacefully at (the) hospital following a short illness," according to a statement posted to the singer's Facebook page in November.

McVie's honeyed voice steered numerous hits for the group, of which she was a member for more than 50 years – with a few intermittent breaks. McVie imbued the rock band's sound with a feathery touch.

The band posted a statement on their official social media accounts calling her “one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life … We cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have.”

Fleetwood wrote that part of his heart "has flown away today, I will miss everything about you Christine McVie."

Contributing: Marco della Cava

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mick Fleetwood honors Christine McVie with emotional 'Songbird' cover