Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year ...

I wonder if we have a volunteer to lead this song before we leave tomorrow evening?



There will be no fireworks, and we won't be in Sydney.
(Well Annie might be!)
Neither do we anticipate the company of an internationally reknowned symphony orchestra, 'singers and chorus', but traditional choreographic instruction will be welcome.

Now, did you know that Rabbie Burns wrote FIVE verses for this song?
I worry somewhat about "We'll tak a right guid-willie-waught ...", in the final verse!

A Message From Lynda.

A big thank you to Colin, Jane and Ken for setting out the hall so beautifully last Friday.  It looked so welcoming and festive, and helped to make the occasion really special. 
 
We must also thank La Fish in The Hornet, Chichester, for their excellent service (and generous discount!) in cooking and delivering the food, and their patience when I added to or subtracted from the original order on several occasions right up to the last minute. 
 
We're so lucky to have David, Colin and Ken at the helm, as well as all of the regulars at the City Folk Club, to give us another year's worth of fantastic entertainment!
 
Happy Christmas, and see you next year,
 
Lynda

Being The 17th Of December 2010.

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas:  David
Hey Jude: Paul
The Holly Bears A Berry: Sylvia
Sweet Thames Flow Softly: John
The Boars Head Carol: Colin/Laura
As I Sat on a Sunny Bank: Bill 1:1/Jenny/Colin
Sweet Bells: Jenny/Bill 1:1
Santa Baby: Maggie
Ist Ein Ros': Laura/Lorna/Colin
Come The Day: Les
While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night: Angela/Beatrice
Good Ale: Roland
The 12 Days of Diwali: Pam
In The Bleak Midwinter: Robin
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Margaret
Catch The Wind: Mike P.
The Snows They Melt The Soonest: Lynda
Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem: Mick
Jesus: Jane/David
Most Highly Favoured Lady: Mave
The Good Old Way: Jane/Colin
Love Letters Straight From Your Heart: Lucy/Roger
Everytime We Say Goodbye: Paul/Roger
The Seven Joys of Mary: Bill 1:1
A Poem: Lorna
I Saw Three Ships: Angela
Kites: Margaret
Shepherds Arise: Full Cast

Monday, December 27, 2010

A Seasonal Message from South Africa ...

I recently received a Christmas e-greeting from our friend, Gigi, from South Africa.
I have every confidence that she intended that her generous thoughts should be shared.
She wrote ...

My Christmas wish for you
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun
I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer
May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totalled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
Much more than you sought
May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold
I wish you all this and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a wonderful Christmas
And a happy New Year too.

Lots of love,

Gigi.

Gigi also wrote, "Will see you soon in the coming year."
Now, if I know Gigi, that's not a threat ...
"Be not afraid!" sayeth some Biblical apparition.
It's a PROMISE!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Beat the Freeze!


The Hobbs's have just taken delivery of their new vehicle. We'll never be stuck in the snow again!
Best wishes for a Merry Xmas and a Peaceful, Healthy, Happy and Musical New Year to all City Folk Clubbers, wherever you are: New Zealand, South Africa, Bognor...

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Thank You ...

I am moved to thank those seven courageous souls who responded to the invitation to come along on Friday to support ‘Carols on the Meadow’ in Bosham.


Yes, I know it was cold, but that mulled wine helped!

I have heard from a committee member who wrote as follows:

So glad that you all enjoyed the occasion and the volume was certainly enhanced. I am sure that we would like to work together again. Seasonal greetings …”

We fulfilled our remit!

Thank you ... you know who you are!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Being The 10th Of December 2010.

Heart: David/Colin
Lark In The Clear Air: Colin
In The Early Morning Rain: Lynda/Paul
Shoals Of Herring: Laura/Lorna
There Ain't No Grave: Eddie
King Of The Fairies: Marion/Mick/Richard
A Letter From Mr. Arkwright To The Tax Man: Barry
With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm: Sheila
Freeborn Man: John
Strange Rain: Les
Rambling Pitchfork: Mick/Mike P.
Tracks of My Tears: Sheena
Dirty Old Town: Mike P.
Romeo and Juliette: Roger
Old Time Dancing Club: Mave
The Galaxy Song: Ken
The Magpies Nest: Bill 1:1
Warlike Seaman: Roland
Noah: Paul
When The Spring Has Come: David/Roger
Venezuela: Laura/Colin
How Can I Keep From Singing?: Lynda
Xmas Medley: Lorna
I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas: Eddie
Coloured Aristocrasy +? : Stoney Ridge Band
All My Trials: Les
One More Cup Of Coffee: Sheena/Mick/Mike P.
The Echo: Mike P.
Try To Remember: Margaret
Dimming Of The Day: Roger
Da Sixereen/Willafjord: Bill 1:1
A 1000 Years: Paul
Can You Dance The Polka? : Stoney Ridge Band

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Memoirs of a Folk-Song Collector (continued)

Miss Letitia has returned from Squire Charlesworth's farm, after meeting some farmhands at lunch-time.

An evening in the Horne Goat

That evening, some twenty young men thronged the bar of The Horne Goat, quaffing their beer after a hard day’s labour. They had heard that I was interested in ‘something in the old manner’, from my lunchtime companions, and were eager to make my acquaintance. After dinner, which I had caused to be brought to my room, on account of my headache, I went down and joined them in the bar. As is customary in such remote areas, women do not go into bars, but these gallant labourers seemed gladly to make exception for me. Indeed, their generosity was remarkable: I was not allowed to go thirsty, for my cup was continually replenished, even before it was empty. When I enquired which of them could render for me any songs of their fathers, or grandfathers, there was much argument and dispute amongst them as to who should sing first. One sang of lambs separated from their ewes and said that he was my lamb and I should let him snuggle up to me as a lamb to its ewe. Another sang of the loneliness of the shepherd, and the gladsomeness when he returned to his sweetheart. Others sang of hunting the black hare, of their old sporting gun, and one of some farm machinery and its ‘reciprocating motion’. When I required of him an explanation of this, there was much jollity and he said he needed my help to demonstrate it. Everyone was much amused by my attempts to follow his instructions, and I found it a mirthful and pleasing occupation. I do not recall getting to bed, nor undressed, but I do recall them all promising to return the following evening with more of this fascinating rustic culture.
to be continued

Friday, December 3, 2010

Being The 3rd Of December 2010.

When The Spring Has Come: David
Demon Lover: Colin
Lonesome Town: Berry/Ken
Blackbird: Paul//Mick
Still I Love Him: Jenny
To Be A Farmer's Boy: Bill 1:1
The House That Jack Built: Paul
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles: David
It's You: Berry
Chatterton Doris: Ken
Anderson's Coast: Mave
Blair Atholl: Mick
Abroad For Pleasure As I Was Walking: Jenny/Bill 1:1
North Country Fair: Paul
All Along The Watchtower: David
The Snow It Melts The Soonest: Colin
Creeping Jane: Bill 1:1
I'm So Lonesome Everyday: Berry/Paul