This month we were joined by audience members Isobel, Susan and Lisa. Ruth, a singer from not too far afield arrived later on in the evening by chance and was directed upstairs. Carol and Dave of Crawcrook joined us, as did regulars whistling far and wee. Instruments were dulcimer, small pipes, harmonica, bodhran and guitars.
Tunes were: on guitar and mouth organ, Hamish Henderson's 'Farewell to the Creeks' and MacLeod of Mull'; on small pipes, 'Cotillion des Marionettes' and 'Argeers', two polkas, Mr. Preston's Hornpipe and 'Drops of Brandy' (all instruments joining in); on dulcimer, 'Sweet and Lovely Eileen O'Carroll,' 'The Quaker's Wife' and another one played by Dave and Carol on guitar and dulcimer the title of which is illegible in my book.
I'll begin the songs with ballads ancient and modern this time which were Katy's tale of Eppie Morrie who fought against forced marriage and rape and won and David's 'Death and the Lady', an unsuccessful attempt on the part of the lady to negotiate with death as well as the more recent 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan' by Shel Silverstein contributed by Angus.
Songs and tunes penned by the singers and composers were in evidence; from Steve, a blues influenced by Robert Johnson, Norman's, 'Here's to the West Coast, that Wild Atlantic Shore' with guitar and mouthie accompaniment and Robbie's, 'Love Song' and later a poem, 'She Came to Me Through the Night.'
Songs on the occupational subjects of mining, fishing and soldiering were, Eliza and Carol's 'Blackleg Miner,' Phil's 'Geordie Black,' Dave of Crawcrook's 'Rap 'Er T' Bank,' Dave's 'Fareweel Tae the Haven' by Davy Steele, David's 'Rochester Recruiting Sergeant' and Katy's 'Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye.' Also, on the subject of getting up for work was Dave's 'Monday Morning.' And, perhaps, the antidote, Webb Pierce' 'There Stands the Glass,' contributed by Angus.
Water was a bit of a theme with Phil's 'Song of the Artesian Water' by Banjo Paterson with Angus on bodhran and his song about the river Wear, 'The Biggest Little River', Dave's 'In the Land of Three Rivers' by Vin Garbutt, and, at a stretch, Phil's later 'Franklin,' Katy's Farewell to Lochaber and Eliza's 'The Garten Mother's Lullaby' (which mentions the boatman who sails his boat till dawn).
Tenuous links might also be made between titles, if nothing else, of Steve's 'Dark Side of the Moon' influenced piece, Angus' 'Broken Wings, by Chris De Burgh and Eliza's 'Allensford Pursuit' (a witches' song, apparently, in which, among other methods of pursuit, they fly)
Other welcome offerings were, Ruth's 'Emperor's New Clothes by Sinead O'Connor, Dave's Tennessee Blues by Bobby Charles, Angus' Moon Shadow by Cat Stevens, Carol's seasonal 'October Song' by the Corries, Norman's traveller song from Belle Stuart, 'As I Went into Inverness-shire,' Dave's 'Where the Hell are we Going to Live?' by Paul Wright and sung by the Levellers and Vin Garbut. This last sparked a lively exchange about those who have no roof at all.
We finished with John Dee Burgess, a jig played by Norman with much joining in. A jolly night indeed (tempered by those latter thoughts - above). Thanks for coming.
Our next session night will be the 27th of December, the night after Boxing Day. Ruth suggested tea lights. Festive cheer, anyway.
